Save Himself

Save Himself

Reading: 2 Samuel 15; Psalm 56; Matthew 27 41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” (Matthew 27:41-43 NLT) The religious leaders saw Jesus hanging on the cross and mocked him with the words, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!” If only they could have known how true were their words! Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost. He was tempted at the very beginning of his ministry, by Satan himself, to take sacrifice-avoiding shortcuts and to serve and save himself. Just hours before this moment, in Gethsemane, he wrestled with his own will and desires, and in complete submission to his Father and to the redemptive plan, he said, “Even so, not my will, but yours!”

I’m not making light of the scope and depth of Jesus’ sacrifice and of the price he paid to save us. I do want to lead us to think about our calling to live redemptive lives as well. Just as Jesus sacrificed himself to save others, each of us encounters (and if you’re like me, often misses) opportunities to sacrifice self to serve or save another. Sometimes it means losing an argument to save a relationship. Sometimes it’s to bear the painful wound of a hurtful act or a cutting word from another without taking offense. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying, “What would you like to do?” Here are some other “Saving others but not saving yourself” scenarios:
• Doing without something you personally want or need in order to give more than you can afford to another’s need.
• Taking time from hobby, recreation, or personal plans to serve the poor or lonely in your community.
• Whatever the Holy Spirit brings to mind as you wait and listen quietly. Shhh! Listen! Prayer: Father, Thank you for your love. Jesus, Thank you for serving others, not yourself, and saving me instead of saving yourself. Holy Spirit, Thank you for leading and guiding me in the path of willing service and sacrifice. It’s scary to think about, but please help me love like you love and be willing to sacrifice to serve and save others, not myself. Amen.