DAY 22 of #100daysofJesus - Jesus Died Willingly for Us

 DAY 22 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus chose to die and did so willingly.

In a history book, you might read accounts of the Romans killing a man named Jesus, the founder of the Christian movement. It is likely described that after the religious leader gained enough of a following as to become a concern to the Roman leaders, they simply captured and killed Him in an attempt to crush the movement and make an example of Him. Instead, His martyrdom caused the Christian movement to gain momentum.

The above paragraph from a historical perspective may be largely factually accurate, but it misses a very important point. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and could not be killed; He had to give up His life voluntarily, and He did.

Jesus knew that His death was soon approaching. He told the disciples that the day was coming that "he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things...and be killed." On another occasion he said, "The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again."

Luke records the moment where Jesus clearly says that it's time to go to Jerusalem and for Him to die:

"Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again."

Jesus knew that it was His choice - nobody would take His life from Him. He clearly taught: "I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."

Perhaps my favorite acknowledgement of His upcoming sacrifice is captured in Jesus' teaching and analogy of the good shepherd. Jesus taught, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.... I lay down my life for the sheep."

Jesus chose to die for US. He chose to GIVE his life for US. He knew the painful crucifixion was necessary for our salvation and that His resurrection was required to break the bands of death for US. He did so willingly.

Why?

Because He LOVES us. He knows and loves each of us, so much that He was willing to endure horrible injustice and ultimately give up His life for us.

(References: Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Luke 18:31-33, John 10:11-18)