Monday, February 9, 2009
Nothing could prepare Jesus for what lay ahead of Him. When He entered into the place of prayer He was under extreme stress so much so that infact scripture says that He sweated blood. Even His disciples could not and did not understand His plight because they fell asleep and without the support or understanding of these men, Jesus entered prayer with such a heavy heart, beyond anyone's imagine.
Jesus would have an idea of what was to happen to Him in the fact that this was a time of open ridicule. Often the innocent would see the flogging of criminals and the torture would not be exempt from anyone. The open public had access to the punishment handed down to those the Roman army thought deserving, and this open forum of justice was a way to show the full extent of the arm of the law and keep the majority in line.
Jesus did not enter into His prayer with confusion, it was utter dread! He knew the price He had to pay to attone for sins but yet this was something He wanted God to reconsider. Willingly He understood in God's silence that this was the only way, and accepted what was to become of Him.
Isn't it amazing to see the short sightedness of His disciples as Jesus entered into their presence, chastizing them that they had fallen asleep and couldn't offer any support even by at least putting in the effort to wait for Him? All the while, scripture does not mention that anyone of these men ever made notice or mention of Jesus blood stained skin or clothes. It may have been hard to distinguish that in the dark, but surely someone must have noticed?
The fact that Jesus was alone was very clear, and although He had the belief of His followers, He never had their understanding support. And in all this, Jesus' grace remained. He never chose to make them see, He never forced the issue of what was to become of Him and He never forced Himself as the savior He was on anyone. The act alone had to speak for itself.
It is an interesting contrast between night and day quite literally with His shedding of His blood both unwillingly and willingly. Jesus paid the ultimate price, and we as believer's need to honor that not through any works, but through our belief in Him and our willingness to turn away from Satan's lies and begin to live in victory.
The persistent Grace shown is unyielding, never ending, never ceasing. It has not changed because God has not changed. His mercy endures for ever, and regardless of what we may think of ourselves, the blood of the Cross speaks volumes on our behalf, continually. *But it can never be forced*
Remember that we all are in different stages with our walk with God and we are all in this together. Anything that teaches a different Jesus contrast to the word of God is not the truth because the only victory over this life is through the Cross! There is no other way, just because our belief in it doesn't make it so. The belief has to come from knowing the truth and it is the truth that shall set you free!
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" John 8:36
Jesus would have an idea of what was to happen to Him in the fact that this was a time of open ridicule. Often the innocent would see the flogging of criminals and the torture would not be exempt from anyone. The open public had access to the punishment handed down to those the Roman army thought deserving, and this open forum of justice was a way to show the full extent of the arm of the law and keep the majority in line.
Jesus did not enter into His prayer with confusion, it was utter dread! He knew the price He had to pay to attone for sins but yet this was something He wanted God to reconsider. Willingly He understood in God's silence that this was the only way, and accepted what was to become of Him.
Isn't it amazing to see the short sightedness of His disciples as Jesus entered into their presence, chastizing them that they had fallen asleep and couldn't offer any support even by at least putting in the effort to wait for Him? All the while, scripture does not mention that anyone of these men ever made notice or mention of Jesus blood stained skin or clothes. It may have been hard to distinguish that in the dark, but surely someone must have noticed?
The fact that Jesus was alone was very clear, and although He had the belief of His followers, He never had their understanding support. And in all this, Jesus' grace remained. He never chose to make them see, He never forced the issue of what was to become of Him and He never forced Himself as the savior He was on anyone. The act alone had to speak for itself.
It is an interesting contrast between night and day quite literally with His shedding of His blood both unwillingly and willingly. Jesus paid the ultimate price, and we as believer's need to honor that not through any works, but through our belief in Him and our willingness to turn away from Satan's lies and begin to live in victory.
The persistent Grace shown is unyielding, never ending, never ceasing. It has not changed because God has not changed. His mercy endures for ever, and regardless of what we may think of ourselves, the blood of the Cross speaks volumes on our behalf, continually. *But it can never be forced*
Remember that we all are in different stages with our walk with God and we are all in this together. Anything that teaches a different Jesus contrast to the word of God is not the truth because the only victory over this life is through the Cross! There is no other way, just because our belief in it doesn't make it so. The belief has to come from knowing the truth and it is the truth that shall set you free!
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" John 8:36
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