My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work (John 4:34).

I remember attending a football game while in college where I was forced to sit very high in the stadium because of the many other people in attendance. It was at that moment that I realized perspective is everything. From where I sat, I was able to see the entire picture. There were no hindrances obscuring my view. From seats I had occupied in previous events, I had missed critical details. My vision had been obscured by the relatively narrow scope I had had. Frequently, someone would cross my line of vision, so my view of the game would be totally blocked out for a minute, and I would not be able to see what was happening on the field. Although I had been present at all those games, I had not had an undistorted, unhindered view of the big picture. It is like that with us in these lives we lead. We have a limited view that can sometimes cause us to miss the big picture. Our view is compromised; therefore, we sometimes make mistaken assumptions based only on our understanding brought about by our narrow view. However, if we are to live in a way that pleases the Lord, we must endeavor to see everything from a higher perspective, that is, from His perspective or vantage point. What is God’s worldview? The Cross of Christ is the setting forth, or the expressions, of God’s worldview.

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). We see sacrifice for us at the Cross. We see mercy towards us at the Cross. We see God’s judgment and wrath poured out on Jesus at the Cross. God’s love for us cost Him His Son, yet He gave. Jesus endured the severest of tests all because of His love for the unrighteous. Jesus was a victim; He chose to lay down His life. His determination to finish His assignment is heard when He exclaims, “my food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Listen to His heart as He explains His mission in Luke 4:18-19: “the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Help and deliverance for us (the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, the blind, the oppressed) came through the Cross of Christ. His worldview was to give it all for those whom He loves. His focus was not on insuring that we, the delivered, would have a right response to Him and His sacrifice. He just loved, so He gave it all. He took upon Himself unspeakable, torturous agony and separation from the Father when He took our sins upon Himself. Even as He gave up His life, His motivation was His love for us. Is it possible to have a worldview akin to God’s? What is distinctive about such a worldview? The Word of God reveals the answers to us. Let us embark on a quest to find them.