It baffles my mind that Jesus chose to live the life He lived. He was born into a poor family. He was born in a barn. Jesus grew up in the town of Nazareth, a town of ill reputation. Jesus chose ordinary men to be His disciples. When He began His ministry, He never again had a home. He experienced great hunger, exhaustion and irritation. He experienced ridicule, taunting, beatings and crucifixion.
Here is the baffling part: He chose all of those things before the foundation of the world. It’s one thing to experience difficulties in life, but to KNOW ahead of time and still say, Yes, Father, I will do that. What great, overwhelming love!
A common misconception is that Jesus was a victim. He was anything but a victim. Jesus explains in John 10:17-18
17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
Jesus had power like nothing we can imagine, yet He did not use His power for a single selfish desire, for defense of Himself or for anything that would make His life comfortable. He chose to suffer. Who can do that? Only God in the flesh. Why? What motivated Him? Two things motivated Jesus: God’s glory and love for a people who do not love Him as He deserves. What grace! What love!
As we look at beginning of Jesus’ ministry this week, let us keep in mind that everything that Jesus did was predetermined. His ministry begins with a pleading for people to turn their hearts to God (repent) and only finishes when Jesus says the words of – John 19:30 – “It is finished.” God bless you all!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
