The Lord's death on the cross did NOT COME AS A SURPRISE to our Lord. He knew FULLY the extent of what He would suffer on the Earth and on the cross. "...To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world..." John 19:37. From before the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD it was planned that He would come here, live a sinless life, suffer on the cross, and rise again from the dead. "..Who verily was FOREORDAINED BEFORE the foundation of the world,.." I Peter 1:20, Matthew 25:34. He preached this and even warned the disciples what would happen the night He was taken from the Garden of Gethsemane so they would believe. (John 14:29, Luke 24:7, Matthew 20:17-19.) But why would the Lord of Glory come from Heaven and leave His Throne, and die a criminal's death on the cross???? Had He done anything wrong??? The answer is a definite NO!!! Jesus Christ lived a SINLESS, PERFECT LIFE while here in this world!! "..... but was in all points tempted, YET WITHOUT SIN" Hebrews 4:15. "...who knew no sin..." 2 Corinthians 5:21. The ANSWER IS HE SUFFERED ALL OF THIS, ON PURPOSE, FOR YOU AND I!!!!!!!! "But with the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last time FOR YOU." I Peter 1:20. He knew that we would be lost in our sin FOREVER without hope and a Saviour if He did not pay our sin debt for us!!!! "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:14 &15. The LOVE the Lord had for us is what His Passion was(Acts 1:3) that held Him to the cross. "....for the JOY that was set before Him. He endured the cross, despising the shame,..." Hebrews 12:2. & John 16:21. He knew that it was SALVATION for All!!!! "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED." Romans 10:13. WHAT A SAVIOUR, that He would leave Heaven and die on the cross for us!!!! Just as Hosea and Paul, the Son of God chose Obedience to the Father and paid our sin debt!!! Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ....And being found in fashion of man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Our Lord's obedience WAS OUR SALVATION!!!!! What an example for us to follow!!!!
Just as our Lord's obedience resulted in Salvation for mankind, OUR OBEDIENCE to His Command to preach the Gospel will result in the salvation of others!!! We have a choice daily to make: will we obey the leadership of the Holy Spirit, despite the cost to us personally?? Or, will we disobey and suffer and those around us???? This Easter, Resurrection Sunday, may we chose obedience as our Saviour did, share the light of the glorious Gospel with those around us, so they can know it as well!!!! How many souls will the Lord use us to reach???? IF YOU ONLY KNEW!!!!!
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!!
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