03/25/18 DESTINED FOR THE CROSS
Jesus had a date with destiny.
He had a rendezvous with death.
He would not be denied The Cross.
Till He breathed His dying breath.
(D.L.G.)
Today we remember Christ entering Jerusalem (HIS LIFE'S GOAL WAS TO BE CRUCIFIED AND RISE FROM THE DEAD).
Read this passage, recounting His determination to go to the cross just days before His prayer in the Garden and His crucifixion.
Not only do we see His resolve at this point, we never see Him change His mission or His mind. If Jesus tried to avoid, escape the cross while in the Garden, if He had feared the cross or being the sacrifice on the cross while in the Garden, then this passage was a mockery of His resolve. But this passage is not a mockery or a contradiction to His prayer in the Garden. Jesus never wavered in His commitment to die on the cross.
Early In Passion Week
As Jesus was entering Jerusalem on the week of His impending death, He stated there would be no salvation given to others if He did not die. Notice the verses I have designated with a star "*".
John 12:21-36
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
* 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
* 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
* 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
* 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
*** 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
* 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
* 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
* 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
*33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
* 34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
* 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
DLG note… Notice in vs. 27 that Jesus scoffed the idea of turning from the cross. Jesus voiced the absurd idea of asking to be spared death on the cross, and then He scorned the idea by stating the obvious, which confirmed that HE CAME FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Though commentators vary on their view of this passage, the passage itself gives sound evidence against Christ shrinking from the cross. It boldly flies in the face of Christ avoiding the cross.
Notice these points.
He confirmed His intention to die (as a seed) so that others could receive life;
He declared His intention to die on the cross;
JESUS DECLARED THAT HE CAME FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE TO DIE ON THE CROSS;
He prayed for the Father to glorify His Name through His obedience to die on the cross;
In answer to Jesus' prayer, the Father promised to glorify Jesus;
Jesus announced Satan's defeat;
Jesus' manifesto to die on the cross;
Jesus called others to follow Him.
