Day 9

Matthew 25-26

Imagine for just a second the scene at Gethsemane. Jesus is "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" He feels like he wants to die, literally. In order to aid his feeling he goes on to pray to his Father. He prayed that if possible his cup would be spared...He didnt hear an answer. He prays again...nothing. Another Gospel tells us that by this point he was sooo overwhelmed that he started sweating blood. One last time he prays...for a third time he heard nothing. What was his affliction? Why was he so stressed?
Jesus knew that he had come to this world to die. He knew he was innocent. He knew of the "joy set before him." So then, why was he praying? The "cup" Jesus was talking about was the wrath of God poured on Him. It was the entirety of your sin and my sin over his body. It was the Father crushing his Son for you and me. "For so much God loved you that he CRUSHED his only son, so that you can have eternal life if you believe in him"
That weary night at the garden, Jesus was contemplating separation from God beacuse of our sin. For the very first and only time he would be forsaken by His Father. He was forsaken so that you and me would come to Him. So that your sin and my sin would be judged in his body, and God's justice magnified. He died so that you and me would live. He died to make you free. He died beacuse He loved YOU!
Are you alive in Jesus?
How glorious and beautiful is the good news of Jesus.
Are you delighting yourself in His grace and love for you?
Are you satisfied in Him?