Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him. He knew that He would face betrayal, rejection, torture, and death. He knew that He would be handed over to His enemies, both religious and political, who would conspire to kill Him. He knew that He would suffer the most agonizing and humiliating form of execution, the cross. He knew all this, and yet He did not shrink back from His mission. He did not try to avoid His fate. He did not compromise His message. He did not deny His identity. He did not run away from His calling. He did not fear the consequences. He did not lose hope.
Why did Jesus endure all this? Because He loved us. Because He wanted to save us. Because He obeyed the Father. Because He fulfilled the Scriptures. Because He was the Messiah. Because He was the Son of God. Because He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Because He was the King of kings and Lord of lords. Because He was the Savior of the world.
What does this mean for us? It means that we have a Savior who understands our pain, our sorrow, our grief, our temptation, our weakness, our struggle, our sin. We have a Savior who sympathizes with us, who comforts us, who strengthens us, who intercedes for us, who forgives us, who heals us, who restores us, who transforms us, who empowers us, who guides us, who leads us, who protects us, who provides for us, who blesses us, who loves us.
It also means that we have a Savior who calls us to follow Him. To follow Him in His suffering, in His obedience, in His faithfulness, in His humility, in His service, in His love. To follow Him in His death, and in His resurrection. To follow Him in His mission, and in His glory. To follow Him in His grace, and in His truth. To follow Him in His joy, and in His peace.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who endured it all for us. He knew the cost of His sacrifice, and He willingly paid it. He knew the pain of His suffering, and He bravely faced it. He knew the glory of His victory, and He generously shared it.
We praise You for Your love, that sent Your Son to die for us. We praise You for Your grace, that raised Your Son to life for us. We praise You for Your power, that seated Your Son at Your right hand for us.
We ask You to help us follow Your Son, in His footsteps, in His example, in His spirit. Help us to endure hardship, to overcome temptation, to resist sin, to bear witness, to serve others, to love You and our neighbors, to glorify You and honor Your name.
We ask You to fill us with Your Spirit, who comforts us, who strengthens us, who intercedes for us, who guides us, who leads us, who protects us, who provides for us, who blesses us, who loves us.
We ask You to prepare us for Your kingdom, where we will see Your face, where we will worship Your majesty, where we will enjoy Your presence, where we will share Your joy, where we will experience Your peace.
We ask all this in the name of Jesus, our Savior, our Lord, our King. Amen.
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