Thoughts for another day

April 8, 2009.

Today's verse: Lk. 18:32,33. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sometimes you know that death is close by. And perhaps you also know that you’ll die miserably. What do you do? Probably, you’ll reveal it to your close confidantes and tell them about it, so they will share in your sorrow or the impending pain of the event.

Jesus mentioned of His death as a forecast, but not as it were, to elicit the pity of His apostles and others who followed Him. It was an affirmation of the purpose for which He came to earth - the pain and shame of it. It was to reveal to, the different view God took of everything. For e.g. Jesus had immense power and with a Word, He could orchestrate/create anything. But He never used it to destroy theories and arguments. It was for the good of humans that He used His power; to build not destroy. Yet, we see that even this was not tolerated. The arguments against His Sabbath day healings are not for spiritual reasons. He healed on a Sabbath to provide the feeling of freedom He wanted to give the common Jew. The hatred and jealousy the authorities and men in positions of power had for Jesus was not because they were inclined to do good for the majority, but because He undermined their authority. They would willingly join with Jesus and make Him their leader, were He to but, twist a little of the law of God. But Jesus being Jesus, did not compromise, even at the cost of His life. For us it’s a lesson: how many times will we live the way God wants us to?

I wonder what might have gone on in Jesus’ mind as He made the above prediction. Perhaps, there was a slight fear or maybe, hesitation. He knew He’d come on earth to suffer and die for men; but to stare death in the face! That was something. But all along Jesus knew for whom He was suffering and dying. And He also knew that the only way to redeem fallen man was to snatch them from death by dying Himself. He’s done that for us. Are we prepared to take His message of freedom and good news to others. Or has He suffered in vain. Would you care to answer?