WHAT IS TRUE freedom to you? Is anyone truly free? Whether you are a demon or a saint, you can’t do whatever you want whenever you want. We are all constantly limited.
As humans, we struggle with our limits, maybe now more than ever. When I feel something is wrong or unfair, I want to make it right. And then I might be tempted to use violence or manipulation to get my way. Or maybe I’ll run away and hide.
Still, no matter what action or inaction I choose, another limit eventually appears.
Even though we may not think about it this way, Jesus was extremely limited. When he went to his hometown of Nazareth, they were bothered by his wisdom and power. Due to their lack of faith, he couldn’t do many miracles there. During Jesus’ life, many rejected his teaching, and some even tried to stone him. Even those closest to him betrayed and denied him.
So yes, Jesus lived just like every other human being. He existed within harsh limits.
Jesus was amazed in only two circumstances — at people’s lack of faith or when they had great faith.
He was amazed when people refused to challenge their limitations.
And he marveled at the Centurion’s great trust in Jesus’ authority to heal.
When the Lord was faced with the ultimate limit — the cross — what did he do? Did he try to force his way past it? Did he engineer some kind of complex escape? Not at all.
Jesus accepted the full stop limit of death by crucifixion. He accepted humiliation and intense underserved shame. He placed all his trust in the will of his Father. And the Lord asks us to look upon him and consider what happened that day.
What do we do with the tough, complex, and sometimes terribly unfair limits placed upon us? What do we do with our inner limitations, especially those that hurt us or others? What do we do with the limits that truly enslave us?
The answer is in the cross. There is a secret to be found there, not completely understood in words.
Some forms of humiliation are unavoidable. Some spaces and situations are intensely uncomfortable, even painful.
The Lord’s example sends us a clear message that tells me, yes, I am profoundly limited. Many of these limits I cannot fully understand. I don’t want to accept them.
But without limits, there is no need for faith.
And if you maintain your faith in the face of these trails, the resurrection is guaranteed. This is not a call to passivity or paralysis, but rather a call to trust.
Things may not turn out exactly as you want. But with faith, God’s victory will surpass all your hopes and expectations.
You will know you did not journey alone.
Christ walks with you. He never leaves your side.
Everything is forgiven. Nothing is held back.
A life without limits means knowing and receiving the Spirit of the Lord.
It’s a complete rejection of the lies of the enemy telling you that it’s not worth the effort and there is no hope.
Instead, the Father’s mercy is a wide open, spacious place where all things are possible.
And even the limit of death holds no power over the children of God.
. . . . . . .
I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.
Revelation 3:4-5
…
…
…
Never miss a post. Subscribe to Third Millennium Man.
Third Millennium Man 