Jesus was both human and divine. Jesus the man knew He would have to face and experience a terrible death. Jesus the man didn’t really want to die yet and certainly not that way. He did not have a death wish. He could have walked way. Why didn’t He? He loved and trusted God, His Father. He wanted to obey. He also loves mankind. He knew His sacrifice would bring the amazing gifts of forgiveness and everlasting life to all who would receive these gifts.
God’s invitation to us all is to turn from our way of sin and trust in Jesus Christ. Then, by His power, we learn to love and forgive others just as we have been loved and forgiven by God.
Are you up to the challenge? You are loved. With God’s help, we can bring these gifts of love and forgiveness to the relationships that we have with others. We can also share the “good news” with others.
In Matthew 26:39 Jesus said, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” In Mark 9:31 Jesus said, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.” In John 3:16 we are told, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus did not want to die the death He did, but for our sakes, He did. He entrusted Himself into His Heavenly Father’s hands. His love compelled Him to give His life so that we might have eternal life with Him. May His sacrifice touch your heart and compel you to have this same trust, love, and forgiveness that Christ expressed.