How did Jesus’ death and resurrection change the way we live? Here is a second devotion on understanding our new life in Christ:

IN WORD Jesus came as a servant, as He so frequently emphasized to His disciples. Not only did He serve God, He served people. He washed the feet of His followers and told them the way to become great was to become low. He was the ultimate servant, sacrificing His life out of love. And God truly did uphold His servant. He still does. Jesus, the ultimate servant, is ultimately exalted. Those who follow Him in servanthood are upheld by the same hand that God used to support and exalt Him.
In fact, the whole identity of the Messiah covers those who believe in Him. We are in Him and He is in us. We take on His name as a bride takes the name of her husband. We are filled with God’s Spirit in the same way Jesus was filled with His Spirit. As with the mystery of marriage, two become one. We and Jesus are inseparable. That means that not only are we upheld by the hand of God like Jesus was, but that God delights in us as He delighted in His servant. That’s hard for many of us to believe, but it’s true. When God looks at a person who is “in Christ,” He sees Christ. And that brings Him tremendous pleasure.
IN DEED Above all else, find your identity in this servant sent to us by God. The Messiah came for this reason. He didn’t free captives and heal sick people reluctantly; He did it with joy and delight. We have become one with Him, and God loves it. The Father can’t love Jesus without loving us just the same.
If that love doesn’t shape our identity, we don’t understand redemption. If you want to be upheld by someone who delights in you, see yourself as one with Jesus by faith. Take on His identity. Be a servant, rest in His love, and rejoice in His will. God already sees you through the lens of His beloved Son; learn to see yourself through the same lens. “God loves you as though you are the only person in the world, and He loves everyone the way He loves you.” —Augustine (in “God With Us” by Chris Tiegreen)

All the religions in the world require works for us to please God and to get to heaven – or their equivalent. Only Christianity is uniquely different in that nothing is required. Why? Because of what Jesus did freely and willingly on the Cross and in the Empty Tomb.
But if nothing is expected, then how can we please God and show our gratitude? It is to be like Jesus. How Jesus pleased God is the same way that we can please God (see Philippians 2:1-11).
Do you want to experience God’s pleasure and His love more? Be His beloved. Be like His Son. If you need guidance to be like Jesus, the book of Ephesians is a great devotional to experience God’s love and to love God more. Read it this week and ask the Holy Spirit for help to become God’s beloved. Have a blessed week! - from Singapore, Pastor Sam