Jesus, high and lifted up

By Tanya Holmes

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5:19)

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." (Romans 8: 3)

What a worthy God we serve! His name is Jesus. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was led to the slaughter to be slain. He came and died for the world to save us from our sins and from eternal death.

Let us give thanks to God the Father and to the Son, Jesus the Christ, who "became obedient unto death." Jesus died that we might live free from the bondage of sin and free from eternal death.

Jesus, the Son of God fulfills His destiny

"And Pilate, when he called together the chief priests and rulers and people,

"Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverted the people: and behold, I, have examined him before you, have found no fault in him according to the things you accuse of him:

"No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him: and, lo, nothing worthy of death has he done."

"I will therefore chastise him and release him..."

"And they cried all at once, saying, Away with this man (Jesus), and release to us Barabus." (Barabus was a known murderer. It was custom to release one of the prisoners at the feast.)

"Pilate, therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them."

"But they cried, Crucify him, crucify him."(Luke 23:13-21)

Like a sheep being led to the slaughter

"He never said a mumbling word." I believe there is a song written with this line referring to Jesus' silent submission to the fervent cries of the chief priests, rulers and the people.

Jesus very well could have thwarted the plan of His Father, yet, instead, Jesus fulfilled His mission.

It was not an easy sacrifice for Jesus Christ.

He was born of no sin. He was born of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost came upon the Virgin Mary, and the power of the Highest overshadowed Mary and the holy thing was conceived in Mary's womb. He became like man in that he was born in a fleshly body.

"But as many as received Him, to them gave power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name..." (John 1:12)

"Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13)

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14).

Even though he would complete His awesome destiny, Jesus Christ agonized over the suffering and painful task that awaited him. Yes, Jesus struggled with the thought of his sacrifice. His prayer to God, His Father, in the Garden of Gethsemane tells us so:

"And he took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

"And he said to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye hear and watch..."

"And he said, Abba Father, all things are possible to Thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou will" (Mark 14:33-36).

Jesus, the Son of God submits to the will of God, the Father

What a worthy example Jesus our Lord was for all the world. For those who would accept Him as King, He serves as a reminder that we, too, are born with a purpose- a purpose that would call us to die to self and live for Christ.

More than ever before is the need for us to die to our own selfish wills and submit to the will of God the Father. Wow! This is not an easy thing to do.

This is a daily cross that all Christians should bear and like Jesus, our Savior and Lord, we must pray continually to stay in the will of the Father.

In Romans 6: 1-14 and 22-23, the Apostle Paul reminds us that if we died with Christ, we shall also live with him. For sin shall not have dominion over you.

The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Thank you for the cross, Lord Jesus.

Song: Worthy is the Lamb and To God Be the Glory

© Tanya Holmes