If You Knew

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If you knew, in just a matter of hours a brutal beating of your body would take place, what would you do?

If you knew that you would have one last meal with your friends before your horrific death, what would be your demeanor?

If you knew, in only hours, your head would bleed profusely due to a crown of thorns being jammed into it, how would you react?

If you knew your mom would have to witness your back being ripped open and your hands and feet nailed to a cross, could you even sleep?

What about if you knew, your shed blood and broken body would redeem people who would never even say thank you. How would you respond?

If you knew......

I've wondered about the answer to those questions. Today in church our teaching Pastor taught about the excruciating pain Jesus endured before dying on the cross. Simply, it was difficult to hear. It birthed inside of me a spirit of gratitude for His supreme sacrifice. To know that His passion for us was so strong and deep is humbling.

I mean, just think about it. His back was ripped open with a whip that was used as part of His crucifixion. His hands and feet were nailed to a cross with long stakes. Some of us fret at the thought of getting a shot at the doctor's office, yet our Savior took it all, for each of us!

Despite Jesus' knowledge of everything that would take place in just a few hours, the Bible says that He reclined at that the table with His friends. Read with me. Luke 22:14-16.
 
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
 
 
Jesus was reclining at the table!

I love that the Bible gives us that level of detail. Can you picture Jesus reclined while seated around the table with the others? That means He was relaxed and laid back. Not full of anxiety or anguish as one would think.
 
Guess what else, He eagerly desired this time with the disciples. Read verse 15 again. Doesn't that absolutely blow your mind?!?
 
Even in the worst situation, Jesus was relaxed and eager to spend time with the disciples. Just know, He feels the same way today about you. He longs to have quality moments with you. There's no need to fret or worry. He wants you to rest in Him. He's eager and waiting. (Posted by Renee)
 
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
 

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