Life Laid Down

How Jesus not only gave His life at Calvary, but gives it daily

The lights were dim in the banquet hall with only the dance floor well lit. Candlelight flickered around the room and a hush fell as the handsome young groom, back straight and eyes that hold no compromise, escorted his bride, our daughter, to the center of the floor. He seated her in a chair and collected a pitcher, a silver bucket and a small white towel. She sat silently, her hair pulled into an artsy bun and her eyes dancing as they always do when she’s happy. She was absolutely stunning in her crimson qipao dress, traditional attire for a Chinese bride.

Tears began to fill the eyes of each guest as the realization of what was about to take place dawned on them. He gently lifted one delicate foot at a time, pouring water over it from the pitcher as the droplets glinted in the light before dropping into the ready bucket below. Then he tenderly patted each foot dry.

For my salvation, Jesus laid Himself in the hands of ruthless men and allowed Himself to be brutalized, beaten, stripped and killed. Yet, the Lord seemed to be pressing a question into my heart that hadn’t crossed my mind before. Yes, He laid His life down literally, but am I aware of how much He continues to lay down His life in less visible ways? #ChristianBlog

It wasn’t a new tradition for the two of them. He had performed the ritual several times throughout their lengthy courtship and yet today was just the beginning of the ritual being carried out in the reality of daily married life.

Many times in the ensuing years the groom would wash her feet in less symbolic acts as he laid down his life: in the daily acts of kindness, the grind of his job, the choice of where and how much he worked, the holding her through illnesses, births, tragic losses and heated disagreements. He would not only lay his life down literally, if necessary, but he laid his life down figuratively every day.

All these images flood back to me as I reflect upon the One who did the ultimate laying down of His life. For my salvation, Jesus laid Himself in the hands of ruthless men and allowed Himself to be brutalized, beaten, stripped and killed.

Yet, the Lord seemed to be pressing a question into my heart that hadn’t crossed my mind before. Yes, He laid His life down literally, but am I aware of how much He continues to lay down His life in less visible ways?

Am I aware of His daily intercession for me? Though on my end I often wonder what is taking so long and why things haven’t turned out as promised yet, He never ceases to speak to the Father about me, defend me against the enemy’s accusations and deliver righteous judgment on my behalf. He is working and fighting for me regardless of what my finite perspective perceives.

Yes, Jesus laid His life down to save us. What a mind blowing Truth! Yet, are we aware that He is still giving of Himself? A good husband doesn’t just lay his life down for his wife in the ultimate, take-a-bullet-for-you way, he also lays his life down in smaller ways daily. In the same way, Jesus is laying His life for you TODAY! #ChristianBlog

Am I aware of His tender and constant loving care? How much pain and grief has narrowly missed me without me even realizing that He shielded me from it. All my eyes see is the pain that comes; what about the pain that sets out toward me, but never arrives?

When a word of encouragement is spoken over me, am I aware of the coordination of the universe that went into that moment in time? If I will look, I will be in awe at all the elements that go into me hearing the right song at the right moment, reading just exactly what I need in Scripture on a given day, in a seemingly random word spoken by a stranger. He orchestrates my ability to carry on in trials.

At this time of year, we become acutely attentive to the sacrifice of Jesus laying down His life. He has done the ultimate for each of us, if we will receive it.

But He also lays His life down daily, just like a faithful husband who never rests on the strength of his one-time commitment. Lord, open our eyes to see your care for us each day.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 

For more on trust, read my blog, “Taking a Swing at God” by clicking HERE!