When we think about Jesus dying on that cruel cross, what do we think of? Do we think about the story of Jesus, how he was born, lived and died? Do we think of how blessed we are to be able to be washed in His blood in in the waters of baptism and arise as a new person, free from sin? Have you ever wondered why Jesus did what He did? Did He do it because he thought we deserved the forgiveness of our sins? Did He do it because He thought He owed us salvation? If that is the case, then what great thing did we do for us to deserve salvation? Jesus lived, bled and died for the forgiveness of our sin, suffering on that cross for us. But what have we done for God to deserve salvation? We live our lives day by day in this wicked world, most of us forgetting God completely in our busy schedule, not to mention all the times we sinned and took everything Jesus did and shoved it right in His face. Do we really deserve salvation?

The answer is “absolutely not!” Paul said in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” It is by the grace of God that we are saved, not because of what we have done. It is God’s love for us that caused Him to offer up His only begotten son for our sins. Knowing this should help us truly appreciate the death of Christ and humble ourselves so that we may never forget how pitiful we are here on this earth. We don’t even deserve the air we breathe.

Knowing how pitiful we are should help us when we pray to God and ask Him for something. How many people come home from work, sit down at the table, and gobble up their food without giving a thought about thanking God for their many blessings? The only time that they would ever go to God in prayer would be to ask for something or to ask why God didn’t give them what they already asked for, as though they deserve God’s blessings. How many people start asking something from God before they thank Him for what they already have?

Remember, God wants us to be grateful for what we have and let Him know that we are. Remember also that God wants us to ask according to His will. Ask for something that would benefit you in a good way, mainly a spiritual way and not something that you really don’t need. We may ask for physical blessings also, but only in a humble way, acknowledging that we are grateful for what we already have. Paul said in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Although we don’t deserve it, God will grant our requests if they are according to His will, and are requested with a thankful heart. So before you get down on your knees tonight and place your order, remember all that God has done for us and how much we don’t deserve it!

Jonathan Glaesemann