Look and Then Leap

TITLE: Look and then Leap
DATE: March 30, 2019
TEXT: Philippians 2:8 – ESV - And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
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Not so long ago I read of a 3rd grade school teacher who invested her life-savings in a project which was too good to be true.

Only later did she find out the reason the deal was too good to be true, was because it was too good to be true. The fellow who sold her the bill of goods was a smooth talking conman and before she knew it, he had stopped returning her calls, his office was closed up and he was nowhere to be found.

Only after her investment had disappeared and her beautiful dream of a wealthy future had been shattered, did she become convinced she had been had by a smooth-talking swindler. Armed with this newfound knowledge she made two visits.

• The first was to report him to the police in the hope they might recover some of her savings.
• The second location at which she stopped was her local Better Business Bureau. Being someone who cares, it was her desire to help prevent someone from making the same mistake as she.

When she finished telling the Bureau her tale of woe, they were shocked at how badly she had been swindled. "Why on earth," they asked, "didn't you come to us first?  Didn't you know about the Better Business Bureau?"We would have been more than willing to help. We would have been glad to  investigate  this fellow.” 

"Oh, yes," said the teacher sadly, "I've always known about you. But I didn't come because I was afraid you'd tell me not to make the investment."

As strange as the true story sounds, almost all of us are forced to confess that we have done the same when it comes to the will of God.

• Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden were afraid God would tell them not to partake of the forbidden fruit. So they ate first.
• When it came to the trial and death of Jesus, the Priests were afraid to read about the Old Testament Messianic prophecies. They might have found that God didn't want them condemning an innocent Man.
• Pilate didn't go to God, but trusted his own political devices.
• The mob that called for Jesus' death didn't go to God, but followed their blood lust.
• You and I have to admit that we are not innocent either. We also have acted according to our own will, and only afterwards consulted God. We followed that path of action because we were afraid God would say "No!"

But Jesus was different.

Jesus didn't think that He knew better than His Father. He didn't put His will first. Like the Passover lamb, He would be taken to slaughter without complaint. Even though it meant He would end up dying for the people who hated Him, Jesus always consulted the will of His Father; what His Father had instructed Him to do.  Thank God that He did. Because the Christ followed His Father's wishes and died on the cross of Calvary, the plan of salvation is completed,. His third-day resurrection from the dead is the Father’s acceptance and assurance the Savior’s sacrifices are complete and all those who believe in Him are saved. 

THE PRAYER - Lord Jesus, I often act and then ask. Help me get my priorities right. Accept my prayers of thanks that the Savior obeyed when I do not or choose not. Grant I will follow Jesus in glorifying You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.  

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html