what do you live for? (old post #11)

Last week, while we were talking about meaning, I looked at the life of Jesus. You can see from his life that Jesus knew who he was, and why he was here. (John 14:6 I am the way the truth and the life.; John 4:26 I am He; John 10:9-10 I am the gate; Mark 10:33-34 the Son of Man will be delivered.)

As I discussed what gives life meaning with a friend, He said this: "Meaning begins with the will." What do I live for? Everything else, whether it is right and wrong, priorities, pleasures,  compassion... everything flows from that move from the will: What do I live for?  If one lives for himself, those questions of origins, meaning, morality and destiny are informed from that motivation.  If one lives for God, those questions are informed differently. So as I looked at the life of Jesus, I realized that Jesus knew who he lived for.

I said at our weekly conversation that he even said that he did not speak on his own, but that his words belonged to the his Father who sent him (John 14:24). Paul writes of Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!” Jesus knew who he lived for.

This idea was driven home again this week as I was spending my morning in the Bible. Luke 22:42-44 states: "He (Jesus) withdrew about a stones throw beyond them (his disciples), knelt down and prayed," "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."

​Jesus in this verse is the perfect example of knowing what you live for. Jesus from his birth to death on a cross knew what he lived for, His Father's will. This is the question we have to ask ourselves beyond what we think our purpose is or what gives our life meaning, we must ask ourselves "What do I live for?".