Forever Faithful 10-Day DevotionalSýnishorn

Honoring a King

Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. -Philippians 1:20

The news of Chadwick Boseman’s death from cancer in 2020 at the age of forty-three shocked fans around the world.

Many had celebrated Boseman in 2018 when he played T’Challa, the regal king and title superhero character of the fictional African nation of Wakanda in Black Panther. Even his costars in the movie were shocked, since Boseman kept his health issues private.

Plans for a second movie starring Boseman had to be rethought and expectations managed as the work of grieving began. Director Ryan Coogler decided to make a second film that honored the man the cast and he had come to love.

Jesus didn’t keep secret the fact that He would die (see Matthew 16:21). But His disciples couldn’t hear Him over their expectations for the long-awaited Messiah.

Two of Jesus’ followers expressed their disappointed expectations to the “stranger” who walked beside them on the Emmaus road. “We had hoped that he was the one . . . to redeem Israel,” they said (Luke 24:21).

The stranger—Jesus—quickly set them straight. He died and rose to life for them. They could honor Him by living for Him.

The apostle Paul decided to honor Jesus no matter what life threw at him. “Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20).

You can make the same choice. This might mean prayerfully surrendering plans and managing expectations of how you think life “should” go.

Linda Washington

What do you think honoring Jesus means? How will you do that this week?

Jesus, thank You for Your willingness to die for me. Help me live for You.