Philippians 3:7-8

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

Wow, how powerful is this verse!

This narrative helps us understand what Jesus means to us.

I heard this story yesterday on YouTube about what Jesus came and did for us because He first loved us. How does this man explain Jesus’s life, death, and burial in a way I have never heard it said before, it touched me to my core.     

The video above illustrates the depth of pain that Jesus endured for us. No words can truly capture the extent of His suffering. Isaiah 53:4-6 provides a glimpse into what Jesus went through for our sake. This daily verse is particularly meaningful to me; I connect with it deeply because it is one of my most cherished passages.

.Isaiah 53:4-6

Surely he has borne our griefs    and carried our sorrows;yet we esteemed him stricken,    smitten by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;    he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,    and with his wounds we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray;    we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on him    the iniquity of us all.

I often feel that we do not fully grasp the significance of the cross; it represents a profound sacrifice and a burden that many people struggle to understand and live by. Jesus’ experience was especially poignant; not only did He endure the immense suffering of crucifixion, but He also took on the heavy responsibility of carrying His own cross to the place of His execution.

1 Peter 2:24 

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

What makes this even more remarkable is that Jesus was completely without sin. Despite His innocence and purity, He willingly accepted the weight of humanity’s sins, embodying the collective wrongdoing of the world. This selfless act was motivated by His desire for us to have a relationship with the Father in Heaven and to attain salvation. His journey to the cross is not just a historical event; it is a testament to the depth of His love and sacrifice for all of us. I believe we often fail to seek true fulfillment in life; instead, we tend to complain about trivial matters that distract us from the meaningful life Jesus offers us, the eternal one.

However, there is one in the bible who speaks of the vanity of life.

Ecclesiastes 2:11 

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

I believe Solomon expressed it well: we seek various forms of notoriety, but in the end, they amount to nothing when we die. All our efforts and accomplishments become worthless and meaningless in the afterlife.

If we commit to seeking genuine connections with one another rather than being lured by the empty promises of this world, you will find great meaning in this verse of the day. It resonates deeply, reminding us how essential our relationships are, particularly in today's fast-paced society. We often encounter a myriad of views on what constitutes right and wrong, yet clarity can elude us. Many fundamental principles that guide our moral compass go unvoiced because we fail to come together with those we share our values and love for. It's in these gatherings of like-minded souls that we can strengthen our bonds and find the support we truly need. 

There is much more to say, but I am trying not to make these too long—just long enough to grab your attention and help you see the heart of Jesus for us.

As always, may this blog find you and be a blessing to your growth in Christ Jesus.

Shalom & Peace.