Many of the problems we face in life occur from shortcuts.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:5-8

“If you are the Son of God tell these stones to become bread,”
“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down”.
“All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.”

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

The Bible tells us Jesus’ purpose was to “to save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21) and to “destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).

Satan did not want Jesus crucified he just wanted him dead.
Or disqualified.
He tried many times to convince Jesus to take another route, shortcuts, or kill Him outright first directly and then through others.

Remember King Herod’s savage massacre of all the baby boys in Bethlehem? That was Satan at work.

Remember a couple times along the way when crowds picked up rocks to stone Jesus? That was Satan stoking the frenzy.

Remember Jesus’ internal agony, His bloody sweat, in Gethsemane? Satan was likely behind that, too.

Finally satan used Judas, one of Jesus own inner circle to turn on him.

Satan did anything he could to keep Jesus from fulfilling His two-fold purpose: to die for us and destroy Him.

Shortcuts, not living with and for a purpose bring about most of the problems we face. And satan tries to convince us tbere is another way, a shortcut, and will if he can destroy us physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

In our jobs we can choose the easy way, the convienent way, it won’t matter if we cut a few corners. And when the promotions are available we’re not chosen and guess who is one of the first to go when the downsizing comes?

In our marriages when the going gets tough we can choose the easy way out. Walk away from the hard work of building and fighting for our husbands or wives, loving them with sacrificial love, extending the grace and forgiveness and understanding that we promised until death do us part .

In our lives we often live unfulfilled and accomplish little but never commit to anything and more often take the path of least resistance. Unwilling to take the road that few go down.

We cheat, we lie, we bend the rules, break our commitments and our promises.
To get there a little faster, gain a little more, save a little time, get an advantage, make it easier.
Not realizing that when we lose focus, forget our purpose, take the shortcut there are always consequences.
Ask Pilate.
Ask Judas.
Ask the people all around you. Broken, and hurting.

I am thankful for what he did for me and for you, for all who believe in Him
Thankful I don’t have to be the sacrifice for my sins or earn His love.
He took care of that.
In every attack, Jesus kept His heart focused. He lived and died on purpose. He refused to take shortcuts.
For me, for you.
I want to live my life just as He did on purpose and intentional. No shortcuts.
Help me Jesus to live like you did.
Amen