Tuesday, January 29, 2008

A Call to Fulfill

“At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Sheathe your sword! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

One of the most remarkable aspects of the cross event is that it actually did not have to happen. God did not have to send His Son. No one had the capability of twisting God’s arm, so to speak. Jesus did not have to go to the cross. He did not have to suffer. He was not forced. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus said, “Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and he will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 CSB)

While the crucifixion did not have to happen in that sense, in other perspectives it did have to happen.

The cross had to happen because death was God’s judgment on sin. That judgment had already been passed on you and me and all other human beings because, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Death and hell awaited us in our future, but God decided to provide us with a means of receiving eternal life. He sent His Son to die in our place and take on Himself the judgment that was due us. People sometimes try to explain sin away or dress it up in finery, but the reality is that sin – all sin – is unholy and horrible in God’s eyes, and it is because of sin that Jesus died.

The cross had to happen also because of God’s grace. While God is holy in the absolute, He is also a compassionate and loving God, slow to anger and full of patience. The cross had to happen because of God’s very nature. Whereas sin demands a verdict of guilty, grace leads the way to guiltless. The God who is love provided an open door that we did not deserve, and He did so because of who He is.

The cross had to happen because of Scripture. God spoke through prophet after prophet about the Messiah, who He was to be, what He would be like, and what would happen to Him. The Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Christ would suffer, die, and be raised from the dead.

And then, the cross had to happen because of the call of God on the life of Jesus, His Son. God sent Him and “called” Him to fulfill this purpose. Someone who is called to a purpose has within himself or herself an overwhelming drive to carry out that for which he or she was called.

Father, We recognize that the cross did not have to happen, but that it also did have to happen for our sake. We thank You for Your grace and love, and we thank You for the forgiveness that has led to eternal life for us who believe in You. Amen.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Charles We are getting ready to make the annual pilgrimage. I thought of you today and prayed for you.

Jim Graham