2Kings 20:19 - "The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”
Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and became upset when the 'bad guys' are winning? Or maybe heard a news report and felt anger over an injustice? Or gotten frustrated when you see people hurting at the expense of someone else's poor decision?
When we are outside the situation, it is easy to want to defend what's right and stand for what's best for others. But when the situation includes us, our evaluation changes to be more self-serving. We start looking for what gives us comfort or convenience, or what meets our list of desires. By doing so,
Most people look to God to meet their own needs/desires first, then seek from Him what would be best for others. As outsiders to Hezekiah's situation, we can see how selfish his response was when told the kingdom would go into captivity after he died. While it was comfortable for him, the reaction was horrible for future generations. And even worse, his son Manasseh became one of the most evil and selfish kings of all time.
Jesus did the opposite. He sought what was best for us instead of what was comfortable for Himself. While desiring for the cross to be avoided, Jesus did not pass it on to future generations, He instead took on the cross for the sake of those generations. By doing so, he left a legacy of sacrifice and service that has promoted unselfish living for generations to come.
When Jesus told the disciples to carry their cross, it was a calling to stop living like Hezekiah did in that moment. Instead of seeking our own comforts, carry the cross of sacrifice and service for others. It will save future generations from living in captivity to self-centeredness.
Take a look at your decisions these days. Are they built around your comfort or others' blessing? Will our current actions benefit their eternities or our presents? Do they match the heart of Jesus?
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