Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:39-44
Have you ever made a decision that you didn’t fully understand? My wife and I decided to have another baby ten years after our last. We looked at the joy of our first two girls and thought, are we really done? That decision was one of the best things we’ve done over the past several years, but it has also been challenging. Even though we had already done the baby phase twice, we had forgotten the late nights and the number of diapers involved. There are so many decisions in life, that we can’t possibly know the variables. Getting married, taking a new job, and having kids are all wonderful things, but they are filled with the unknown.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus chose to turn toward the cross rather than toward a crown. The difference between our choices and Jesus’ is that he knew what was coming. We see his knowledge in the text above. Jesus was aware of his pending death and the weight of evil and sin that would be placed on his shoulders. This is how great the love of Christ is. Even with that knowledge, he chose to go to the cross for us. Not only was he aware, but he had to bypass the opportunity to be a political leader and the chance to save himself — in order to save us. He was offered power by the crowds who would have followed him anywhere, and yet, he chose death. Jesus was a leader worth following not because he had political or military strength but because he had the strength of humility and self-sacrifice. The systems and power of the world don’t know what to do with that.
Take a few minutes to worship Jesus for his great kindness and sacrifice. This song may help you to do just that:
by Aaron Bjorklund
