Jesus knew his design, for which he came to the world that is substitutional death for his disciples and for all men. He saw that his commandments and promises did not change them, but they remained haughty, hardhearted, and loveless. Therefore, he wanted to reconcile them to God through his death as the slain Lamb of God that the Lord’s Spirit might dwell in those who were justified, and renew, change, and sanctify them completely.
For this purpose, Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem, the place of his death. He did not flee, nor was he afraid. But his followers were extremely frightened, knowing that the highest court of the Jews, and the lawyers spied on Jesus, and watched him continuously to reason out of him some sort of an error. They laid on him and his disciples the curse of deprivation. Whoever helped them or joined them was deprived of the nation’s fellowship and rights.
However, Jesus proceeded willfully to the dwelling place of the lions, knowing that there was no way to redeem the world except by the cross. He prepared his twelve disciples accurately for the imminent events, for he had a perfect foresight not only of his own death, but of all the aggravating circumstances of it; and yet he thus went forth to meet it.
Did you recognize the greatness of Jesus in his prophecy about his own life and death? He foresaw clearly the kind of end that awaited him. Nevertheless, he proceeded to his enemies, and taught his disciples about the events to come that they might take their own decisions. He was obedient even to death, and was born to die for us. The love of God appears completely in the midst of the completion of men’s revolution against the Lord. He bore their impurities and diseases upon his shoulders, but they hit him, spat in the face of his love, scourged his thin body, and hanged him on the infamous and accursed tree that he might die slowly through the weight of his body. They mocked him who was crucified, wishing to hear him blaspheme against God and disobey him, but he bore our troubles and sufferings with much patience, prayed for us on the cross, and forgave the sins of those who nailed him on the cross. He did not lose hope in God’s keeping away from him, but drank the cup of the Lord’s fury even to the end, and committed himself into his Father’s hands, though God had hidden his face from him. In the midst of the flame of God’s wrath, Jesus believed in his eternity and his resurrection from the dead, gaining a great victory in the end.
Jesus believed in a revelation given to him by his Father in the Holy Spirit, and he immediately proceeded to Jerusalem. Do you trust the word of God, and act accordingly? Your life may be filled with troubles, temptations, darkness, and even fears. But be aware that Christ bore the farness from God in our place that we, who are far away from God, might experience the nearness of the Eternal One at all times. Trust your heavenly Father completely and you will overcome your troubles through faith, come towards your problems securely, love your enemies, and bless your adversaries. Do not be afraid if you were broken before the Lord, for the Omniscient Almighty is with you.