THOUGHTS FROM MATTHEW

September 24

Text: Matthew 26:39

And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt."  (NASB)

Jesus (as we) was born into physical existence to live.  He lived as a man in order to provide us continuing life.  He came to show us how to live so we could experience continual existence (consider John 1:4, 5).  How could it be possible for the source of life to die?

Death is the power of sinfulness (1 Corinthians 15:56, 57).  He had not sinned (Hebrews 4:15)!  Why should he die?  Would not the death of the one who did not sin be the ultimate injustice?  Would not the injustice only increase if this person did not wish to die?

His death would destroy the power of death over us!  By dying he would not (yet) remove the event of death for us.  Yet, by dying he would remove the consequence of the event for every person who would trust him and the significance of his death.

There was so much depending on Jesus’ death, and he knew it!  Oh, the stress of knowing the significance of what you are to do!  Oh, the stress of knowing how many are depending on you!  Oh, the stress of knowing the importance of what is immediately before you!  So much weight descends on you!

God had many promises and intents that instantly could happen if Jesus “died well.”  The core damage that sin inflicted on creation instantly could be reversed if he “died well.”  Salvation became an immediate possibility for all people if he “died well.”  The slavery that held all people captive would come to an immediate end if he “died well.”  The life he knew and valued would be available to people if he “died well.”  All of God’s I.O.U.’s would be paid instantly (see Romans 3:25, 26) if he “died well.”  Who would want all that responsibility in “dying well” as he endured the abuse and pain before him?

Suggestion for reflection: If Jesus looked only at your reaction to his death, was his death worth the effort of his “dying well”?  (Read John 10:10-18.)

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 Copyright 2011 David Chadwell