Dear Family and Friends,

I suspect most of us go through life hoping we’ll never have to see a surgeon. Well my day came the year before the pandemic began. I was nervous at first, but my surgeon-to-be turned out to be quite personable and quickly put me at ease.

That was until he whipped out his iPad and started showing me a video of a past surgery. As he walked me through the procedure, one could tell from his grin that he really enjoyed doing this to people.

Meanwhile, as I started to ache and feel queasy, I could hear my mind screaming, ‘He’s going to do that to me!’ ‘Oh no, and he’s going to do THAT to me!’

Although I never saw a scalpel that day, I walked out of the office scarred for life – emotionally.

The surgery went fine but to be honest, I couldn’t stop shaking while being wheeled into the operating room – images of that crazy video still dancing in my head.

If you recall, I ended my message last week with this passage of Jesus telling His disciples what was to come.

“And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.”  Luke 18:31 ESV

Like me, Jesus was seeing images in His head. But unlike mine, His images were seriously brutal. Let’s read and feel for ourselves a few of those Old Testament scriptures Jesus was referring to.

“They have pierced my hands and feet — I can count all my bones — they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”  Psalm 22:16-18 ESV

“For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.”  Psalm 109:2-4 ESV

“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”  Isaiah 53:5,7 ESV

These and many more Old Testament prophesies were fulfilled on that fateful Friday. Jesus knew precisely what to expect as they journeyed to Jerusalem.

Yet He went. Why?

The following passages, in Jesus’ own words, capture a few of the reasons why He went – what was driving Jesus to continue on to Jerusalem.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38 ESV

“Jesus said, For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” John 9:39 ESV

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 ESV

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12:46 ESV

It’s apparent from these passages that Jesus came for at least two reasons.

Obedience to His Father.

And Love for us.

That Friday became a Good Friday because of Jesus’ self-giving love – a love incomprehensible to most humans – for His Father and for us.

Let’s remember that Jesus was not the warrior king everyone was expecting.

Jesus rejected the quicker but self-destructive power used by leaders throughout history.

He instead defeated sin and death using a power never before imagined nor used by the kings of this world – the slower yet triumphant power of love.

Jesus claimed victory that fateful Friday using the power of love; love expressed through suffering.

And it’s that same self-giving love that propelled the Gospel throughout the world.

Which brings us back to today.

Following Jesus means that we lead the life that the Lord has assigned and called us to.

Following Jesus means that we do as He did.

That said, the questions we must all ask ourselves is:

Are we being like Jesus, obedient to our Father’s wishes? Are we turning away from the ways and the idols of this world?

Are we loving as Jesus loves? Can people tell that we are His disciples by the way we love one another and our enemies?

I know first hand that what is being asked of us is not easy, that trying and then failing is discouraging.

But since we all know in our hearts that to stop trying is not an option, let’s try this: focus first on loving God and others. 

Before all else, let’s make love our first response to everything and everyone. Allow nothing, from adversity to idols, to come between us and our love for God and others.

We shall end with another mental image, this one of Jesus sitting in the Garden. He clearly knows His time will soon come. The severity of the pain has set in.

It’s in that pain that He begins to pray – almost plead, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 NIV

Today, as we revive our walk with Jesus, let’s make His prayer our prayer as well.

In love always,