Good Friday is the anniversary of such an important day in history!! Without Jesus Christ’s heart of surrender, none of us would have the access to God, our Father, that we have now. 🙌🏾
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.” - John 14:6 NLT
What amazes me about this event is that through it all, Jesus’ heart-posture stayed the same. He was and is THE ABSOLUTE GREATEST example of the surrender that we, as believers, must all follow today.
I mean, I can tell you, if it were me… after I had already suffered plenty “and now You’re asking me to die the most torturous death ever for some people who may NOT even end up loving me back, even after seeing the amazing miracles I’ve done, and living completely blameless, etc.?”… I would have been like, 🤔 “God… nah, Man. Come get me. I can’t do this. It’s just too much and I don’t understand why. So, I won’t.”
But Luke 22:41-42 NKJV says, "[Jesus] walked about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; NEVERTHELESS not My will, but Yours be done.'"
What?! 😟
YES. I’m telling you that Jesus’ heart of surrender allowed God’s will to override His own. And that is how we are to live today.
I can tell you from personal experience that MANY times in my life, I did NOT and still do not understand why God wanted me to do certain things. I didn’t understand why I was stuck there, why I’d been given “that” assignment, why I felt that way, why my heart had to get broken, why I had to go through that season, that test, that situation, etc. And I haven’t always had a heart of surrender. Quite honestly, through certain situations, I STILL have to remind myself that I gave up my free will when I said “YES!” to Jesus. 👀 Why? Because I trust Him.
I know I’m telling on myself, but I simply wanted to encourage you guys, on this GOOD Friday to LET God’s will override your own!
All that you are asked to do, ends up being for your good (Romans 8:28 NIV) and for the glory of God (John 11: 4 NIV). Jesus knew that choosing obedience in order to glorify God is far more important than going His own way, which is why He chose to make the sacrifice and go through with Calvary. Jesus loved us then and He loves us even now, still unconditionally.
Jesus made a way for us...
His choice in submission is why we honor Good Friday. Without His crucifixion, there would have been no redemption. We would have lived forever separated from God which ultimately would have led to no access to grace, mercy, joy, peace, freedom, etc... most importantly, eternal life!
But y’all, we can have all that now!!!
Why?!
Because it all started with Jesus, who said, “Nevertheless…”
And THEN...!!! If you keep reading, Luke 22:43 NIV says, “Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him.”
Because... Strength comes after submission!!! But that's not my message for today. Lol. 😁😊
We worship Jesus, today because He made a selfless decision to put the will of God before His own and for that, we are to be eternally grateful.
I’m signing off for now, but allow the lyrics of these related songs to give you life today.
Listen To: How Great Is Your Love
Artist: Vaughn Thompson, Jr.
Album: Third Culture Worship
“What kind of love is this… that a Man would give His life for a dying world that may never recognize? You made a way…”
Listen To: Grateful
Artist: Daniel Johnson
Album: Go
“…You decided to go through with it. You gave Your life for all sin…”
Listen To: Worth
Artist: Anthony Brown & group TherAPY
Album: Everyday Jesus
“…You thought I was to die for so You sacrificed Your life so I could be free, so I could be whole, so I could tell everyone I know...”
Love y'all! Happy Good Friday!