We are continuing our series “All About Jesus” and today I pose a question, “What did Jesus do?” Have you seen the WWJD wristbands meaning “What Would Jesus Do?” Why speculate over what Jesus would do? I want to focus on what Jesus did: WDJD.
Jesus came to restore mankind’s relationship with God. He came to save us and to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). He paid the price for our sin, for our sickness and disease, for our mental anguish and turmoil, and for poverty and lack. When Adam fell from grace in the Garden of Eden and exiled himself and all mankind from the presence of God, it was only Jesus who could come and pay the price to give us access back into the presence of God. “[God] gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NLT).
Jesus says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG). If you are finding that serving God is hard, then you need to ditch religion and discover Jesus afresh. Jesus' message today is, “I love you. Come to me and I will give you rest.”
People try to escape from reality, but the only true satisfaction comes from Jesus, and knowing him as their personal savior. When Jesus comes into your life, he changes you. He sets you free. The Bible says when you’ve been washed in the blood of Jesus, you are a new creation in Christ, and “Sin is no longer your master…Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace” (Romans 6:14 NLT). How wonderful it is to be a new creature. The Bible says old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). If you have given your life to Jesus, there’s no need to talk about the past. Jesus has touched your life and you will never be the same again.
Jesus paid the price for our sickness and disease. Jesus is the Healer, as well as the Savior. He would not save you from hell only to make you live in hell all of your life on earth. No, he came to save you, heal you, and set you free. “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed” (1 Peter 2:24 NLT). The message translation says “His wound became your healing”. The name of Jesus is greater than any cancer or tumor, greater than any arthritis, greater than any heart condition or lung problem. The name of Jesus is the name above every other name. Why? Because Jesus paid the price on the cross. That’s the finished work of the cross. When Jesus hung on the cross, he said, “It is finished.” Jesus saves, heals and brings freedom.
Jesus also paid the price for our peace. People are tormented and worried about tomorrow, about the future. But the Prince of Peace has come and paid the price so that you and I can have peace of mind. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT). Now you can lie down at night and sleep. You don’t have to be afraid. He is with you. You can find rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91). He is your shepherd. You have all you need (Psalm 23).
Jesus paid for our prosperity. Poverty is not a blessing. It is a curse, and since you are no longer under the curse, it is not for you. Resist it just like you would sickness and disease or sin. Say, “No poverty!! You’re not coming into my house.” Deuteronomy 30 says it like this, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses..choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him.” The choice is yours. Fathers, make a decision for your house. Moms, declare “As for me and my house, we are going to serve the Lord.” Tell the devil to get the hell out of your life. Then you can let heaven in; Heaven on Earth.
Jesus paid way too high of a price for us to just make it to Heaven. Salvation is an all inclusive term. It comes from the Greek word “sozo”, meaning “soundness, wholeness, healing, preservation, deliverance, provision, and blessing;” all of the goodness of God wrapped up in the single work of the cross of Calvary. It’s all yours for the taking. Just say, “Thank you, Lord. I take it now. I take it by faith. Jesus is my Savior. Jesus is my Healer. Jesus is my Prince of Peace. Jesus is my Provider.”
Make a decision in your heart to receive and accept the word of God. We know exactly what Jesus did. We know what his will is. He is mighty to save, mighty to heal, mighty to deliver, mighty to forgive. So then what must we do? We must take responsibility for what we know and do what he did, do what he told us to do. ”And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone’” (Mark 16:15 NLT).
It’s time to rise up, and do what Jesus would want us to do in the circumstances of life. The world is dying and needs a solution. That solution is Jesus. He wants to save people more than we want them saved. He wants to heal people more than we want them to be healed. He wants revival in America more than we want revival in America. WDJD? He did it all. What does he want to do? He wants to do it all, through you and me.
