More than sentimental.

Follow, die, live and be healed...

Many times we think of the death of Jesus Christ with sentimentality alone. There was purpose in His dying; deep purpose with daily, lifelong and eternal consequences.

God desires us to live differently because we know Him. Jesus's death was meant to enable us to live as new creatures with new purposes and new objectives. Jesus's death was not meant for sentimental song singing alone, but to accomplish a work and enable us to live lives of righteousness.

Consider...

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:21-25 ESV)

Three things:

(1) "...because Christ also suffered for you..." -- that is, because He died on the cross -- He has left us "...an example, so that you might follow in His steps." He died so that we might know how to live! The purpose of His dying is that we might learn to live like Him...and DO IT!

(2) "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." See that? Like #1, this is plain and simple to understand and lifelong to live out. Jesus died on the cross that we might die with Him to our lives of sin and selfishness and then live with Him in His resurrection lives full of His purposes. He died so that we could die and He lives that we might live! This #2 is troublesome, right? We like this idea of living, but the idea of dying is tough; it's hard to think that God wants us to give up our entire life! But, that's exactly what He wants; give up who we are / were that we might take up who He is. That's true, eternal, worthy purpose! That's what Jesus died for!

(3) "By His wounds you have been healed." Jesus's death is meant for our healing! WOW! Praise God! Now, let me be painfully clear, that healing does not deal PRIMARILY with physical healing from ailments or disabilities, BUT --don't miss this "but"!-- that healing will happen in full and forever in the heavenlies (maybe some healing in this life, but all healing in heaven!). What is healed immediately when we believe on the name of Jesus and receive Him is our spiritual sickness; nay, spiritual DEATH. Peter goes on to say, "For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." Jesus's dying heals our broken relationship with the Father. Yes, in the cross, through the cross and because of the cross, we are made right with God, and that WILL one day lead us to get new bodies that will be free from disease and pain, but that starts with spiritual life and restoration of relationship with "...the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

God sent His Son to die on that cross that we might follow Him, die to sin, live to righteousness and be healed to walk with the Living God. When you see the cross, be grateful; be eternally grateful. Be glad. Be full of hope. Be full of joy. Yes, even be sentimental. ALSO / IN ADDITION... when you see that cross, see life and purpose; see who God wants you to be (just like JESUS!), what God wants you to do (die to self and sin and live in righteousness) and see all the great privileges of God's presence (healed!) that the cross delivers to us day by day.

See purpose! Don't see Jesus's death only; see YOUR life in that cross!