Weekly Blog: When Your Life is Out of Control
Nov 4, 2019 2904
I know that sometimes your life feels like it’s spiralling out of control. I know because at times I’ve felt that way too.
But because I’m a follower of Jesus, I look to him to learn the important lessons of life.
During his life on earth, when should Jesus have felt most out of control? I guess it was then the mob arrested him, and when he was falsely charged and unfairly tried? I can imagine that it was when he was brutalised and tortured and brutalised for hours. Jesus surely would have felt completely out of control when he was forced to the ground onto the cross, and when nails were pounded into his hands and feet. And then there were the hours of agony on the cross, while all the time he was ridiculed and shamed.
But that’s not the picture that the Gospel give us of Jesus. The Bible never presents Jesus as a helpless murder victim. Before the horrific events I’ve described above, Jesus himself had said,
The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded (John 10:17-18, NLT).
No one killed Jesus. No one can kill my Lord.
Just think about what that means. Jesus wasn’t killed by others. Instead, he willingly gave his own life. That is supported by the evidence of what happened on the cross. The victims of crucifixion normally lasted at least a few days on the cross. Taking a week to die up there wasn’t unknown. But Jesus died on the cross within a few hours. The Romans couldn’t believe it and they shoved a spear up into his heart to prove it (John 19:34; See also Luke 23:46).
Jesus was always strong and never weak. At the moment of his death, Jesus was still strong. He was coherent. “He called out with a loud voice” (Luke 23:46; See also John 19:30). These are not characteristics of someone who dies of slow asphyxiation, blood loss, or septicaemia: the typical causes of death by crucifixion.
These details are all significant. The gospel writers appear to be trying to tell us that the death of Jesus was a voluntary, intentional process. But it wasn’t a suicide. It was a deliberate self-sacrifice. And that’s exactly what Jesus had said it would be.
Jesus knew what he was doing. Jesus died of a broken heart, as a result of the sins of the world that he accepted into his life.
No matter how dark and out of control you feel that your life has become, you’re not expected to do this alone.
Even in the most horrifically difficult moments, Jesus was always in control. Jesus is always in control.
No matter how dark and out of control you feel that your life has become, you’re not expected to do this alone. God sent Jesus into the world, to show you that he is the one who is always in control. You can trust him. Hand the troubles of your life over to him.
And because of what Jesus has done, there is a new life waiting for you, full of abundance, and goodness, and love.
Luis
Dec 12, 2019
How sad it is to vew jesus at the cross...how good is it to have a man like jesus opening the door for us....
Teupola Nayaca
Nov 15, 2019
Thank you for sharing a lovely encouraging message that really hit my current situation. I am an island who was away from my parents since I moved in for further studies. My siblings came after me and we were all with my relatives during our academic years and with and through the perseverance that God has instilled in us that made us who we are today. We are still facing up with daily challenges but thank God that He has allowed us through it. He goes before us, behind and he stays by our sides. Currently, I am facing up with this court case, first experience ever in court. The first time I received the summon I was really down and it totally affects my entire life and family. However, as time goes on I felt a burden has uplifted from me and i actually do not worry much about it when I kept reminded of God's reassurance love and peace. I know I am on the right track, because I felt I was unfairly treated by the opponent team. The court hasn't started yet because when we went to attend the first hearing the opponent lawyer postponed the date to another date, so my next hearing will be on the 2nd of next month (December). Honestly, I cannot afford to pay for my lawyer but I have faith in a living God who has power and authority over all the world who will fight this battle for me. He does not unfairly treated his children and I pray for his Holy Spirit who guides us to the truth (John 16:13) nothing else but the truth will reveal the truth on this first hearing date and the opponent team will be able to see how awesome is my God and my saviour. Pray that God will continue to fight for your battle. Be persistent in prayer.
Pricilla
Nov 15, 2019
Dear Good news team, My name is Pricilla. I am a single mom with three little daugthers. I have nobody to help me in life. I have quitted my job ( mathematics teacher) this july because I have been awarded a PhD scholarship in Australia and I had to have free time for the documents preparation. This project is my hope project to give a brigth future to my children. The program should begin december 1st of this year, but until now I don't have apply for the visa because I don't have money to pay the visa fees. I believed that this scholarship was from Jesus, I really do love it. I still believe that it is a gift from God. So actually I am waiting from God to cofirm if this plan is from Him. Even I am sad sometimes to have any money and any support from my mother and my family, I always hope in God mercy and faithfulness. I give Him all the Glory forever. Peace and Grace Pricilla Madagascar
teresita coronel
Nov 11, 2019
Thank you Eli, I need this "inspiring message", especially at this point in my life.
Greig
Nov 11, 2019
Thank you. Eli. Clear as.... and such an important difference. Jesus Lay down his life. Not . Have it taken from Him. Hallelujah, what a Saviour.
Kathryne Brownlow
Nov 11, 2019
This is Just what I needed to hear today! Praise the Lord Jesus!????
Legesse Tmiru
Nov 10, 2019
Thanks to Jesus for his perfect love wich he showed me ! Thanks to Jesus for his death wich saved me from death ! Jesus is the only perfect !
Pierre-Claver Havyarimana
Nov 10, 2019
Thank you Jesus to die for my sins. I'm now free to see you again in Heaven one day.
osea bola
Nov 10, 2019
i hand over the troubles of my life to Jesus and for him to take care of my whole life.
Kelvin Saydu Karbah
Jan 9, 2020
Thanks for your encouraging message. It help me to focus more on Jesus Christ in time of trouble. Since I found Jesus Christ and put trust in him, I don't worry about the future because I know he is taking care of the future for me.