Thankful, He Decided to Die

Scriptures: (1Thessalonians 5:16-18) (16) Rejoice always, (17) Pray without ceasing, (18) In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(Luke 22:41-42) And HE was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and HE knelt down and prayed, (42) saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup from ME; nevertheless, not MY will but, Yours, be done”.

(Luke 23:39) Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him say, “If You are the Christ save Yourself and us.”

(Philippians 2: 5-8) (5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with GOD, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, HE humbled Himself and became obedient even to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

He Decided to Die
When Jesus hung on Calvary,
people came from miles to see;
they said, if you be the Christ,
come down and save your life.

Oh but Jesus, my sweet Jesus,
He never answered them,
for He knew that Satan was tempting Him.
If He had come down from the cross,
then my soul would still be lost.

Chorus:
He would not come down
from the cross just to save Himself;
He decided to die just to save me.
(Original Author Dr. Margaret Pleasant Douroux)

Oh, Saints of the Living God, let’s take time to absorb what GOD has said in His Holy Word. HE said no to Christ’s heart felt question. “Father if it be Your Will, take this cup from me nevertheless not My Will but Yours be done.” Hallelujah Christ came to fulfill the work of His Father. The unbelieving mockery from the soldiers could not change His mind, the unbelieving thief’s mockery could not change His mind. HE decided to do the will of His Father. HE came to die for all mankind which included you and me.  Are you facing a heart felt question? Can you follow His example and cry out If it be Your Will remove this cup, this trial, this pain from me, nevertheless not my will but Yours be done? The unbeliever stated “if” You are the Christ save yourself and us. What is your If, have you lost your faith because of your trial, your testing, your pain?

Prayer: Eternal Heavenly Father in the name of my King of Glory Jesus I bow. I confess that because Your Will for my life can sometimes be so painful that I can’t cry out Your Will be done.  Yet I am compelled, because of Your great Love and long suffering, to say not my will but Yours be done.

(by Debbie Meadows)