Seeing Life Through the Eyes of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Purpose Over Popularity

In a world that often values popularity and acclaim, Jesus exemplified a life focused on divine purpose rather than earthly applause. As He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds hailed Him as a political savior, but Jesus saw beyond the temporary cheers to the eternal mission He was about to fulfill. His eyes were set on the cross, where He would accomplish the redemption of humanity. This teaches us that true purpose is not found in the fleeting approval of others but in aligning our lives with God's eternal plan. [12:12]

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking the approval of others over God's purpose? How can you realign your focus today to prioritize His eternal mission for you?

Day 2: Covenant Over Meal

The Last Supper was more than just a meal; it was the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity. While the disciples saw bread and wine, Jesus saw His body and blood given for the salvation of many. This moment transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, signifying an eternal communion with God through Christ's sacrifice. It reminds us that in our daily lives, God often uses the ordinary to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. [13:18]

"And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:27-28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you see the ordinary aspects of your life as opportunities for God to work His extraordinary purposes? What is one ordinary task you can offer to God today as an act of worship?

Day 3: Surrender Over Weakness

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' anguish was not a sign of weakness but a profound act of surrender to the Father's will. Despite the immense burden He faced, Jesus chose the path of obedience, paving the way for our salvation. His prayer in the garden was a testament to His unwavering commitment to God's plan, even when it meant choosing the cross over comfort. This teaches us that true strength is found in surrendering our will to God's, trusting that His plans are greater than our own. [15:46]

"And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" (Matthew 26:39, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 4: Healing Over Hurt

The suffering of Jesus on the cross, seen as punishment by the world, was the path to our healing. Every scar He bore was for our transgressions, and by His stripes, we are healed. His pain was our gain, offering us the opportunity for spiritual and physical healing through His sacrifice. This reminds us that God can use our own suffering and pain as a means to bring healing and restoration to ourselves and others. [20:14]

"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." (Isaiah 53:5, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a personal hurt or struggle you are currently facing. How can you invite Jesus into this area to bring healing and restoration?

Day 5: Resurrection Over Death

The empty tomb is a powerful testament to the victory of life over death. What seemed like the end was, in fact, a new beginning, a gateway to glory, and a promise of eternal life for all who believe. The resurrection of Jesus assures us that death is not the final word, and through Him, we have the hope of eternal life. This encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, seeing beyond the immediate to the lasting impact of our lives in Christ. [28:21]

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection influence the way you live your life today? What is one way you can live with an eternal perspective in your daily decisions?

Sermon Summary

It's a joy to gather together on this Resurrection Sunday, a day that signifies more than just Easter; it marks the victory of our Savior over sin, shame, hell, and the grave. Today, we celebrate not just a historical event but a living reality that Jesus Christ is risen. As we reflect on the events of Holy Week, we are reminded of the difference between our human perspective and the divine vision of Jesus. From Palm Sunday to the Resurrection, each moment holds a deeper meaning when seen through His eyes.

On Palm Sunday, while the crowds saw a triumphant king entering Jerusalem, Jesus saw the road to the cross. He understood that the cheers would soon turn to jeers, yet He remained focused on His purpose. At the Last Supper, the disciples saw a meal, but Jesus saw the sealing of a new covenant. In the Garden of Gethsemane, where the disciples saw a weary Jesus, He saw surrender to the Father's will, paving the way for our salvation.

The crucifixion, from a human standpoint, appeared as a moment of defeat. Yet, through Jesus' eyes, it was a moment of victory. His declaration of "It is finished" signified the completion of His mission, the payment of our debt, and the triumph over sin and death. The silence of the tomb on Saturday was not the end but a setup for the resurrection. On that glorious Sunday morning, the empty tomb declared that death had been conquered, and life eternal was secured for all who believe.

As we celebrate this Resurrection Sunday, let us strive to see our lives through the eyes of Christ. In our trials, He sees opportunities for grace. In our struggles, He sees a path to draw us closer to Him. May we embrace the resurrection power that transforms our lives and gives us hope, healing, and purpose. Let us live with the eternal perspective that Jesus offers, seeing beyond the immediate to the eternal impact of our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Purpose Over Popularity: Jesus never allowed earthly acclaim to distract Him from His divine mission. While the crowds saw a political figure, Jesus saw the people He came to redeem. His focus was always on the eternal purpose, not the temporary applause. [12:12]
2. Covenant Over Meal: At the Last Supper, the disciples saw a meal, but Jesus saw the establishment of a new covenant. His body and blood would be the means of eternal communion with us, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. [13:18]
3. Surrender Over Weakness: In Gethsemane, Jesus' anguish was not a sign of weakness but of surrender to the Father's will. His prayer was a testament to His commitment to our salvation, choosing the cross over comfort. [15:46]
4. Healing Over Hurt: The suffering of Jesus, seen as punishment by the world, was a path to our healing. Every scar He bore was for our transgressions, and by His stripes, we are healed. His pain was our gain. [20:14]
5. Resurrection Over Death: The empty tomb is a testament to the power of God to bring life from death. What seemed like the end was a new beginning, a gateway to glory, and a promise of eternal life for all who believe. [28:21]
** [28:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:35] - Introduction and Greeting
[03:50] - Vision for the Church
[05:37] - Prayer and Preparation
[12:12] - Palm Sunday: Purpose Over Popularity
[13:18] - The Last Supper: Covenant Over Meal
[15:46] - Gethsemane: Surrender Over Weakness
[20:14] - The Cross: Healing Over Hurt
[20:56] - The Crucifixion: Deliverance Over Death
[26:57] - Resurrection Sunday: Life Over Death
[28:21] - The Empty Tomb: Resurrection Over Death
[29:11] - Seeing Through Christ's Eyes
[30:19] - Embracing the Resurrection
[31:15] - Invitation to New Life
[32:04] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Sermon Clips

If you're here every week, or if you're here just because it's Easter, or because you're wanting to see us, maybe you used to be in the youth group back in the day when we were here as youth pastors. Whatever the case is, I want you to know right off the bat, it's not for us. It's for Him. It's for our risen Savior. [00:01:13]

And someone was teasing me this morning and said, they're here for you guys. And I said, no, no, no. I don't want that to be the takeaway from this. It's because we serve a risen Savior. And that's why we're all here. And so I just want you to know that before we get started. It is such a blessing for us to be here. [00:01:35]

And so, we serve a God today who defeated sin, who defeated shame, who defeated hell and the grave. And so, I know you've put your hands together for us, but more importantly, can we put our hands together for Jesus Christ this morning? Amen. [00:03:18]

And that the bishop and the district and this church board chose to trust us to carry on the legacy, the mission, to carry on the mantle here at Family Worship Center. And we just want to say thank you for putting your trust in us. [00:03:50]

Our heart is to reach people who don't go to church, who are far away from God, and we want to see them start a relationship with Him. Amen? And so, that's going to be our heart. And our heart is going to be following after God's heart. [00:04:53]

If you're a note taker or you have the bible app on your phone, we are going to start providing notes for you if you would like to take those home with you to study them to look up the scripture to make sure we're reading out the word of God. [00:06:05]

And so it's real simple, we're going to be looking at what we see from our human perspective versus what Jesus saw through his divine eyes. And as we begin to kind of go over the holy week that we've just been walking through and we look at scripture this morning we look at Easter morning and the resurrection we're going to be looking at the difference between our limited vision and his eternal vision. [00:09:06]

Have you ever looked at a moment and completely misunderstood it before have you ever done that have you ever fumbled a moment where you looked at it and thought man there's probably something deeper going on than what I'm seeing there you could say from human perspective or those who walked with Christ the disciples and the followers of Jesus that they may have done that during holy week. [00:11:46]

When some people might have seen the popularity of Jesus Jesus saw purpose you see in Matthew chapter 21 verse 8 through 11 we see a crowd celebrating a king with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna Hosanna in the highest and to us it looked like a parade to to the human eye it may have looked like a party something that was a celebration to the Romans who were occupying Israel at that time it may have looked like a rebellion was beginning with the Jewish people but through the eyes of Jesus he saw the road to the cross and he rode in not for applause but to fulfill a prophecy. [00:13:14]

Through his eyes, Jesus saw a covenant that was being sealed. His body was going to be broken. His blood was going to be poured out for so many. And the disciples saw a good meal with their friend Jesus, but he saw the beginning of communion with us forever. [00:13:58]

No one else might know the sacrifice you were making as a mom or a dad or as a grandparent. But can I tell you this morning that Christ sees the eternal impact that you're making. He sees the impact that you're making by taking those kids to church, by loving on them every single day, by raising them right, by teaching them about the things of Christ. [00:14:43]

He can take our dirty, sinful lives, and he can clean us up. Amen? He can heal us and forgive us and turn our lives around. And so he takes the natural, and he makes it supernatural. Supernatural. [00:15:03]

He told them my soul is crushed with grief to the point of death stay here and keep watch with me and he went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground praying my father if it is possible let this cup of suffering be taken away from me yet I want your will to be done not mine. [00:15:41]

He knows that he's about to be arrested and he's about to be beaten and he's about to be taken to the cross he knows what's about to happen and so in the scripture we're seeing him ask God if there's another way can we do this another way but whatever your will is not my will but yours be done. [00:17:49]

He saw the will of the father as greater than his own comfort he was starting to feel the weight of all of our sin and all of our shame and I can't help but think it wasn't a coincidence that they decided to stop here in a garden in a garden in a garden of all places when we see Jesus going through this trial I'm sure his eyes were remembering Adam and Eve when they fell in the garden of Eden. [00:18:54]

He saw the prophecy he saw the prophet Isaiah and his words in Isaiah 53 verse 5 it says but he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement for our peace was upon him and by his stripes we are healed. [00:19:54]

We see torture and mockery and blood but through his eyes he's seen you and me. He saw redemption. He saw the veil being torn. He saw sin being defeated. And the cross looks like defeat. A dying man mocked, bleeding. But through his eyes the cross was a throne. [00:21:03]

When Jesus says it is finished when you look that up in the original language it's a word that's called Tetelestai. And Tetelestai the plain simple definition of this word is to bring to an end to finish something to complete something. [00:21:48]

Tetelestai was something that was used when they were talking about ancient receipts and they would place this word on a receipt meaning a literal debt had been paid not just paid on but paid in full how does that sound to some of us if someone were to come up to us and say hey your mortgage payment is paid for and you owe no more because it's been paid and complete that would be awesome. [00:22:25]

For him to get up, he saw resurrection, he saw restoration, he saw reconciliation, and on that third day, he got up. Didn't he get up? He rose from the grave, just as he said he would. And what the enemy meant as a grave, God used as a gateway to glory. The tomb was temporary. When we see chaos, he sees a calling. [00:28:05]

When we see pain, he sees purpose. When we see death, he sees resurrection. So let this Easter be a moment to you that's not just a regular Sunday or a time that we get together to see family and to see one another. But we ask God to help us see life through the eyes of Christ. [00:28:41]

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