Jesus chose the cross. He could have turned back at any moment. He could have called down armies of angels. He could have ascended to heaven. He could have escaped the torture of the crucifixion. But He chose the cross. For the sins of the world.
Jesus knew. His whole life. He knew what He came to do. The sheer brutality of the cross was never lost on Him. Matthew 26 is such a powerful representation of this. Jesus is reclining at the table for what would be the Last Supper. Reclining in relationship with those he loved the most in this world. The whole time, he knew. He knew Judas had already sold his life for thirty pieces of silver as he sat across from him. He handed his betrayer his body broken and blood spilled in bread and wine. He was offering him relationship until the very end.
As he sat across from his best friend, he always knew that Peter would deny him. Three times he would claim to not even have met him. He knew Peter would curse him and be angry at the mere mention of association with him. He knew his disciples would desert him and flee in the garden. He knew they would fall asleep in his garden moments of agony over and over again. He knew Peter would only follow him to the courtyard at a distance.
And yet He saved them. Even then, He went to the cross. Because that is who Jesus is. And that’s His heart for you. It’s what it’s always been. The Lord remains the same throughout all time. Psalms 106 is a psalms of “yet He saved them.” The Lord has always been saving us – no matter how far we run, how hard we deny him, or how much we betray him. He is faithful to save us. His love for us is so great that nothing could keep Him off that cross. And His power is so great that nothing could keep Him in that grave. Despite your biggest shortcomings and greatest attempts at failure, He saves.
Hi Alex,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs heart-to-heart is probably the most personal. Are you getting home sick? You took a long trip to a whole different type of culture.. this trip is not forever. I’m being Christian based it’s even different than regular travel. I’m proud of you for doing this. What has been the most interesting thing that you’ve experienced? And how is the diet over there what have you been eating most of. What would you love to have when you get back to the states. For me when I traveled in Spain I was sick of eating pork chops!
There were other things the restaurants but where we were staying at the Timeshare we cooked a lot and mostly what they had was pork I wanted a big Mac as soon as I got home. I no longer eat those unless I’m ready to be cleaned out. Lol what kind of food have you tried that you never thought you would?
I know God showing you a lot of things about forgiveness and moving on. But it’s a process sometimes and sometimes it just comes quickly because it’s a major revelation move on God’s part to you. I hope that this can be applied with your dad. It will be the biggest thing that will affect your life. Now forgiveness doesn’t always mean letting people back in your life not just your dad but people in general will hurt you. Forgiveness and healthy boundaries learned early in your life and applied will make all the difference in the world to your life trust me I know this stuff I did not do that early in life I didn’t under understand the God concept. Don’t get me wrong I knew about it the Lord’s prayer that talked to children who get to have Christian instruction learn it. Applying it as an adult to childhood Hurts is a whole Other learning and application. I have 1st hand experiences that God is good. He loves us so much that just like what is written on your newest post it’s all true. We can’t be good enough. Because it’s by God’s grace that he sent Jesus to be our example and our sacrifice. Because he loves that much. You hang in there enjoy the trip you’ll be home sooner than you know. Would love to get together with you when you get back. Proud of you hang in there make notes to yourself even if you’re not sharing them with others so that you can remember the specialist of this trip. In 40 years it will be highlighted by major things but the trip involves the minor things as you well know. Love you Nanny
This was meant to be a private post. I am now realizing that it may not be private and I apologize. I have written to the organization and asked them to remove it but it’s Fourth of July weekend so it may be up there for quite a while. If you are able to erase it please do.