HE COULD HAVE CALLED

“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”—Matthew 26:52-54

Power under control! Jesus could have called upon His Father to save Him from the cruelty of men. He did not have to be arrested. He did not have to be questioned. He did not have to be spit upon. He did not have to be beaten in the face. He did not have to be spit upon. He did not have to be mocked. He did not have to have a crown of thorns pressed down on His head. He did not have to be scourged. He did not have to carry a cross. He did not have to be stripped naked. He did not have to be nailed to the cross. He did not have to be lifted up on a cross. He did not have to experience such pain. He did not have to die… or did He?

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matthew 16:21). This was in the plan of God and Jesus was obedient to that plan. With all the power available to Him at any time, He restrained Himself to follow the plan from eternity past to enable sinful man to be saved into a relationship with Him! John 3:16 is such a familiar verse, but until we understand, at least to some degree, what it means that “God so love the world that He GAVE His only Son” then we will not understand the tremendous work that has been accomplished on our behalf.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13) and “We love because he first loved us” (I John 4:19). He did not call for His Father to rescue Him so He could rescue us! His love for us! What a marvel! May we grow “together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” Ephesians 3:18). May it be so!

Dear Father, thank You for the great love You have for us— proven through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Now, may I love You above all and love my neighbor as well all for the honor and glory of Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8R16ICkDks