For the Joy Set Before Him
He knew.
He knew that Sunday’s praise-filled crowd would become Friday’s hate-filled mob.
He knew that His “house of prayer” would be desecrated as “a den of robbers.”
He knew that His parables and stories would fall on the deaf ears and stone-cold hearts of the religious authorities.
He knew that their tests and traps would come up empty, stirring in them a seething rage.
He knew that His anointing through the extravagant worship of a grateful woman would be remembered forever.
He knew that Judas Iscariot – a friend as close as a brother – would for the paltry sum of 30 silver coins agree to hand Jesus over to His enemies.
He knew that humbly washing the filth of the day from His disciples’ feet would set the gold standard for servanthood.
He knew that the new command given – “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – would revolutionize the mission of everyone who would ever follow after Him.
He knew that every word of His fervent prayers for Himself, His disciples, and all believers would be heard and honored by His Father.
He knew that bread and wine shared with His closest friends would forever remind the people of God of His great love and sacrifice.
He knew that “I don’t know the man!” would soon roll off Peter’s lips not once, but three times.
He knew that His inner circle would fall asleep as He pled with the Father in prayer to take the cup from Him.
He knew that submitting to the Father’s will would mean betrayal, mocking, humiliation, beating, and death on a criminal’s cross.
He knew that the religious leaders sent to arrest Him would hear the truth and yet still cry “Blasphemy!”
He knew that Pontius Pilate, swayed by the madness of the mob, would disregard even his own wife’s pleading and sentence the Son of God to death by crucifixion.
He knew that the crown of thorns pounded into His head by a staff in the hands of sadistic soldiers would one day be replaced by a crown of righteousness.
He knew that His blood dripping into the dry ground at the foot of the cross would ultimately save those who would believe.
He knew that His last breath would not be the final word.
He knew that the curtain of the temple would be torn in two from top to bottom – God rending the veil between heaven and earth.
He knew that the donated tomb of Joseph of Arimathea would hold His body for only three days.
He knew that a stone, a seal, and heavy security would fail to keep His resurrected body locked inside.
He knew that the first mourning visitors would find a stone rolled away, an empty tomb, and an angel who would question them: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He is risen.”
Jesus knew that you and I would need a Savior. He – the Son of God – stepped away from all that heaven holds to hold our sinful hands. He wrestled with every single thing we wrestle with – and won. He came to the end of His life on earth having maintained perfect godliness, holiness, and purity. He was the only acceptable sacrifice that could redeem us from the auction block of slavery to sin, and He willingly paid the price. We were doomed to eternal separation from God, but Jesus intervened and paid with His own blood the price we could never pay.
Whatever you’ve done or been through that brought you down in shame, embarrassment, disgrace, guilt or regret, Jesus knew. And He loved you enough to live, die, and conquer sin and death to reconcile you to the Father. This is Holy Week because Holy God has done all that’s necessary to bring His holiness to an unholy people – that we might be saved. This is love.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2
Friends, He knew.
