Monday, February 23, 2009
Luke 9:43-44 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, "Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men."
TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE
Why were the people amazed? If we back up a few verses then we find what caused the people to be amazed at the majesty (the greatness) of God. A man brought his only son to Jesus because he was possessed by a demon. As the boy was brought to Jesus, He rebuked and cast out the demon.
It was an impressive event. Today we might say that it "blew the people's minds." They credited God with the miracle, seeing Jesus as an instrument in God's hand. If we could ask them how they would define greatness, don't you think they'd simply point to the boy? Who of us would disagree? What Jesus did was worthy of wonderment, evidence of the greatness of God.
Greater yet was the work that Jesus was about to complete on Calvary. Since they needed to see the bigger picture, He turned their thoughts away from what He had done to what would be done to Him.
There is no question that in casting out the demon, Jesus did a great thing. Yet when he laid down his life for us all, what He accomplished far outshines any healing or miracle. He made the one payment that atoned for every human sin. He suffered and satisfied God's ages-long anger over sin. He made it possible for sinners like us to become Children of God and heirs of eternal life.
Yet how many people today think of His death as a great thing? When asked about great things Jesus accomplished, how many wouldn't rather point to the feeding of the 5000 or the raising of Lazarus? Yet Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, exalted to the highest place of honor and glory, because He went to Calvary and laid down his life as the Father's plan prescribed. He came to save our souls from sin and death.
Let's think on this today, and take these words with us (John 10:17-18): "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
