Imagine for a second if you will, if you knew when you were going to die, what or how would you spend that valuable time? Maybe spend time with your family, loved ones, your spouse, or parents??
Now imagine would you spend it with those closets to you, and then one of them who’s supposed to be your right hand denies you like they never knew you existed. Pretty crappy thing to do, right..?? But Jesus forgave him anyway. Probably not something we’d do with our last hours on earth, BUT JESUS did exactly that with you and all God’s children with that in mind. Eternal life.
He heard from His father when His time on earth was done. He even said;
“And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.””
Luke 22:41-42 NKJV
Read all that again!! ^^^^^^ and let it sink in. Jesus didn’t want to die, let’s be real who does? But his follow up response; “ nevertheless, not My will be done, but Yours be done.” He knew if this was the only way, it wasn’t about Him at all. It was the only way to get earth direct connection to heaven.
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
John 19:28-30 NKJV
Wow!! I get chills just reading and thinking about what He did, for YOU and ME!! My takeaway; when Jesus said “it is finished!” with exclamation on it, I believe that was for heaven and earth to hear “I have done all the work, so you no longer need to suffer.”
Summary; Jesus said in scripture, “ if it is your will, take this cup away from Me.” But he already knew this was the only way. So that we could not only have a relationship with Him, but a way back home to our Heavenly Father. Take heart in knowing you can let the cup pass, Jesus took our cup of sin for us to and on the cross…. On Calvary.
Steve Atkins
inside Steves heart 