Jesus’ Simple Template for Preserving a Holy Perspective
I had one of “those days” recently. My day didn’t begin badly, but sometime, about halfway through, it took a turn I couldn’t correct. Someone said something to me that caught me totally off guard. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I threw up solid defensive barriers. Although I requested what I thought was clarifying information, I really asked a question of self-protection.
The other person in my scenario was hurt by my question and felt attacked. I was caught off guard again and I didn’t know how to proceed. I searched for a “Christian response,” but I struggled with my own hurt and realized I was thinking angry thoughts. I’m sad to admit, I dug in my heels. I allowed my stubborn streak to anchor a poor attitude.
Experiencing all of Life
No matter how marvelous an Easter we experience, we will also experience the curve balls life will throw at us. We can love Jesus with all our heart, spend daily time in His Word, and still come face to face with fear and negative emotions. We relish days of extraordinary joy and intimacy with Christ. And we also endure days filled with temptation to think and live selfishly.
A Holy Perspective
Jesus came, and Jesus died, so we could gain a holy perspective. Christ desires for us to have intimacy with the Father just like He savored. John tells us over and over in His gospel, Jesus didn’t do anything, nor say anything, that the Father didn’t tell him to do or say. Jesus longs for us to depend on God with the same deep confidence.
When we see things with a holy perspective, we recognize the life we live comes from God. He is our portion and our provider. He blesses us for our benefit. He pours His love and grace into our lives so we can experience His forgiveness and develop a profound relationship with Him. God changes us and we begin to live focused on forgiveness, relationship, and pouring ourselves out to bless others.
Jesus Experienced All of Life
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Before Jesus died, He celebrated Passover with His disciples. Just like we sit around the table at holiday meals laughing and delighting in the company of those we love; Jesus was sitting around a table with those He loved. However, Jesus also knew His time on earth was short, and soon He would offer His life as the perfect sacrifice.
Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for what was to come. He attempted to explain what was going to happen, but they didn’t understand. In addition, Christ knows one of His own will betray Him, and another will deny Him. Jesus’ emotions and thoughts must have been intense.
A Holy Perspective Template
In the middle of celebrating, and preparing, and warning, Jesus introduces the first Lord’s Supper. He presents what we call communion and challenges His followers to remember. In the same story, Jesus also provides us a template so we can maintain a holy perspective, even when we are confronted with the questions of life.
“As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take and eat it; this is my body.’ Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’”
Matthew 26:26-29 CSB
Step One: Pause
Jesus unveils the first step in the template “As they were eating…” In the middle of all the conversation, questions, laughter, arguments ~ whatever was going on around the table, Jesus paused. Jesus didn’t wait till the meal was over. He interrupted the meal and initiated a moment to focus on a holy perspective.
If we want to maintain a holy perspective, then we also must pause. We must interrupt the mind ramblings, the negative self-talk, the judgement of others, the desire to hide or even the need to act. In the middle of whatever is going on, we need to halt and establish a different focus.
Step Two: See Christ
The second step Jesus reveals is to see Him. Jesus lifts up bread and says this is my body. He lifts a cup and says this is my blood. Jesus is teaching His disciples to see Him clearly. He is their Rabbi and their friend, and He is also their Messiah and Savior.
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Jesus also calls us to fully see Him, even with life moving on all around us. He knows us by name and accepts us. He is the One who died for us, providing forgiveness and grace. Christ is the only One able to restore our relationship with God the Father. He is our portion and our prize. Jesus Christ is creator, provider, and sustainer. He gives abundant life, endless joy, and perfect peace.
I know step two isn’t easy when life throws unexpected challenges in our path. When life is sunshine and daisies, we easily identify who Jesus is and all He provides. But when our emotions are raw, our patience is gone, and we continue to be hammered, we fight to see past our frustration and pain.
Allow me to reassure you, it’s okay to go back to step one and pause again. Disrupt the negative mind flow. Beg God to help you suspend the thoughts that lead you away from seeing His face. If necessary, sing a worship song, quote a verse, or fall prostrate before the Lord.
Step Three: Be Grateful for God’s Gifts
The third step Jesus presents is to be grateful. Jesus thanks God for the bread and the cup. We too must express thanksgiving for what God has provided in Jesus and through Jesus. We must learn to consistently express our appreciation for continued undeserved forgiveness and acceptance. Day in and day out.
When the world crashes in, we maintain our holy perspective as we express gratitude for the gifts God provides.
- He sees us, and He loves us, no matter what.
- He accepts us as we are.
- He provides the power to be kind, even when others are not.
- He gives courage to ask for forgiveness from those we’ve treated unkindly.
- He grants fresh perspective beyond our initial reaction.
- He offers the opportunity to display humility.
- He stands with us in our pain and is not ashamed of us.
Step 4: Remember Christ Well
Luke in his gospel adds this line, “do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) Jesus discloses the final step to maintain our holy perspective with those words. When we partake in communion, we are to participate remembering the sacrifice of Christ. We remind our hearts and minds of God’s mercy, generosity, and love.
If we want to live changed by the blood of Jesus, if we want to live with a holy perspective, then we must live in ways that remember Him well. Jesus taught His disciples to serve and wash one another’s feet. In addition, He commanded them to love one another (John 13). Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians we are to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells us to be imitators of God, and to submit to one another (Ephesians 5).
If we want to live changed by the blood of Jesus, if we want to live with a holy perspective, then we must live in ways that remember Him well. Jesus taught His disciples to serve and wash one another’s feet. In addition, He commanded them to love one another (John 13). Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians we are to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells us to be imitators of God, and to submit to one another (Ephesians 5).
Maintain a Holy Perspective
We celebrate Easter because Jesus’ death and resurrection changed everything. We now receive power from the Holy Spirit to live holy lives, consequently we can preserve our holy perspective. However, we must recognize it’s a process requiring a lifetime of practice. We will succeed and we will fail. Nevertheless, we must determine to follow the template Jesus provided: pause, see Christ, be grateful and live in ways that remember Him.
Even when life throws us one of “those days.”
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