Luke 9:51 - Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
Matthew 26:39 - He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
To many the word commitment is a dirty word. Not many want to commit to something because we live in a rebellious world that says, ‘I’m Free to Be Myself’. Our culture is centered around individualism and life is ‘All About Me’.
Individualism and Commitment are complete opposites:
Individualism says ‘let’s seek personal happiness.’
Commitment says, ‘I am going to seek for meaning and moral joy.’
Individualism celebrates independence.
Commitment celebrates team work.
Individualism seeks reward and recognition.
Commitment is defined as making a promise without expecting a reward or recognition.
Individualism is of self-interest and is selfish.
Commitment is other-interest and giving.
True commitment happens when we fall in love with someone or something. It might be a person or a cause or even an idea, and that love becomes deep enough that we decide to dedicate our life to it. This could be our spouse, a vocation, our faith, our church and denomination. Commitment is a promise made from love.
A committed life has an identity. I am a nurse or I am a preacher. This is how others know who we are. A committed life gives us a sense of purpose. We are willing to do anything, even give our life, because we are committed to that person or that cause.
The greatest example of someone living a committed life is Jesus. Look again at Luke 9:51 and Matthew 26:39. It was time for Jesus to go to Jerusalem. He knew His time was short but because of His love for you and me He was committed to give His life for our salvation. Because Jesus lived a committed life, He became fully human and went through temptation and rejection. He suffered and died on an old rugged cross because He loved us. Jesus felt sorrow, pain and even fear. He on purpose set His sights on Jerusalem even knowing it meant His death. He agonized in the garden of Gethsemane knowing He would be beaten beyond recognition with weapons of cruel punishment, all the while knowing He was innocent and we were the guilty ones. He was so committed to us He willingly allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross. As the crown of thorns were thrust on His head and the crowd was mocking Him, Jesus love never faltered and His commitment to us never wavered. Three days later He arose. His resurrection was for us too. I can’t wait to sing this Easter:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever,
With His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Jesus lived a committed life. His love for me is overwhelming. I want to live a committed life because of my love for Him. I pray we overcome our culture of Individualism and live a committed life. Will you join me in living a committed life?
