Childhood
Jesus grew up as a regular boy in a typical Jewish home. His earthly father was a carpenter, so He probably learned the trade and helped His father with his work. Jesus always knew that He was different, though. His mother, Mary, told Jesus about His miracle birth. When He was twelve, He spent three days in the temple, talking with the priests and the religious leaders. Jesus studied the scriptures and learned who He was and what His purpose was.
Ministry
When He was about 30 years old (the age that priests could enter into the full ministry), Jesus started His ministry. He spent three years or so training His disciples, teaching the people, healing the sick, and raising the dead. These were critical parts of His ministry, as well as expressions of His love for people, but He knew there was more – He was born for more.
Jerusalem
Luke 9:51 (NASB)
51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;
Jesus knew what was waiting for Him in Jerusalem, but He went anyway. He knew that He would be mocked, tortured, then crucified, but He went anyway. His love for us would not let Him do anything else. He knew this was the only way that our sins could be forgiven. He kept going.
Triumphal Entry
Mark 11:7-10 (NASB)
7 They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it.
8 And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields.
9 Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!”
Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday – the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey. This was prophesied of Jesus, a prophecy which He fulfilled to the fullest. This was symbolic of His kingship of Israel. Before Israel had an earthly king, God was their king. Then, the throne was promised to King David and his descendants forever. Finally, Jesus came, a descendant of David (through Mary), as well as God Himself. God once again took His rightful place as King of Israel.
Jesus could have been satisfied with this. He could have said to Himself that He could simply start His reign here on earth, without having to go through the suffering, but He didn’t. He knew He still had a purpose, a plan, a calling, to fulfill.
Last Supper
Jesus shared a final Passover meal with His disciples. He gave His disciples some final instructions, washed their feet, established our ordinance of communion, and was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
John 13:21, 26-27 (NASB)
21 When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”
26 Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
Even knowing that He would never celebrate the Passover on this earth with His disciples again, as well as the fact that Judas, a man that He had spent over three years with, teaching him, caring for him, and loving him, was about to betray Him to evil men, Jesus continued on. He went to a place of prayer, to prepare for what was to come.
Gethsemane
Luke 22:39-44 (NASB)
39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.
40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
41 And He withdrew from them about a stone s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,
42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.
44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Notice how it was Jesus’ “custom” to pray here. We see this a number of times. Even though Jesus was God, He still needed/loved to pray, so He could stay connected to His Father in heaven. He also showed us how much we need to pray. Although He was God, He was also a man.
He asked His Father, knowing that all things are possible for Him, to make a way for Jesus to not have to go through what He was about to endure. Jesus knew the scriptures, He was in constant communion with His Father, and He had seen other people being whipped and crucified. Knowing what awaited Him, He still continued on.
Betrayal
Luke 22:47-48 (NASB)
47 While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.
48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Having someone you love betray you is a pain that truly hurts. If a stranger betrays you, it’s not as bad. When it is someone you love, who says they love you, it hurts even more. To make it even worse, Judas had told the Jewish leaders that he would kiss Jesus as a sign, so they would know whom to arrest.
Jesus could have stopped this right then and there. He said in Matthew 26:53, “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”, but He didn’t. He continued on.
Unfair Trial
Matthew 26:59 (NASB)
59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.
The chief priests and other religious leaders had the trial all planned out. They had paid off witnesses, they had the members of the council that they wanted, and they knew that this was now a done deal. They had a trial to show the people that this was a “legal” thing that they were doing. It was “commanded” by God’s Word.
Even with all of this, they couldn’t get their own “witnesses” to say the right things, so they could kill Jesus. Jesus stood there quietly, saying only a few words. These “religious” people were using the Word of God against the very God Who wrote these words – exactly the same as the devil did when he tempted Jesus.
Jesus could have stopped things right there, but He didn’t. He continued on.
Crucifixion
Mark 15:19-22 (NASB)
19 They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him.
20 After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him.
21 They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.
22 Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
I have heard some people say that we should avoid talking about the grotesque torture that Jesus went through, because it’s too much for people today. We’re not used to seeing such things. It’s not very popular, either. Most people just want to hear about the pleasant promises and blessings of God.
Jesus could have avoided this torture. He did not have to endure it. He had every opportunity to stop, but He didn’t. He proceeded on, through all of the pain, shame, and abandonment.
Galatians 3:13 (NASB)
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us – for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”
Jesus was crucified with criminals, even though He had done no wrong; He didn’t even sin one time! He was put on public display, being mocked. The same people who had hailed Him as the “Son of David” just a few days earlier now yelled, “crucify Him!”
Jesus was abandoned by His followers, and even His disciples, to an extent. Since God cannot look upon sin, when Jesus became a “curse for us”, God had to look away. This was the only time in all of eternity that Jesus had been completely separated from His Father.
Mark 15:34 (NASB)
34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” which is translated, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
Sometimes, we may wonder why we have to go through certain things. We may cry out to God, as Jesus did, “Is there any other way?” As Jesus said, though, we must also say, “not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Jesus never lost sight of His current ministry of teaching, healing, and loving. He also never lost sight of His ultimate purpose: freedom from sin and death for all of His children.
Freedom
John 8:31-32, 36 (NASB)
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
Walk in the freedom of Christ. Live in the presence of God. Rejoice in all of His blessings. He has given us freedom, grace, blessings, and eternal life. All we need to do is continue in His word.
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