How many times do we wish we could know our future? What will happen next week, next month, next year? If we only knew…
Jesus knew.
He had preached a message that He was the Good Shepherd and like a good shepherd He would give His life for the sheep. He boldly proclaimed, “I am the Son of God”. Some people believed Him but most wanted to arrest Him and have Him killed. (John 10)
Jesus knew what was ahead. He separated Himself and His disciples.
A few days later He received word that His friend Lazarus was sick. He stayed where He was another two days. He knew what would happen.
Lazarus died. He went to Bethany and He knew that He would perform another miracle. He would raise Lazarus from the tomb after he had been dead for four days. This miracle sealed Jesus fate. The religious elite were determined to have Him killed.
“ From that day on, the council started making plans to put Jesus to death. 54 Because of this plot against him, Jesus stopped going around in public. He went to the town of Ephraim, which was near the desert, and he stayed there with his disciples.” John 11:53-54 CEV
Jesus knew. It was almost Passover and people were asking if Jesus would come.
“The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!'” John 12:12-13 NLT
This incident has become known as Palm Sunday. The day we celebrate today!
“Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.” Psalm 118:25 NLT
Jesus knew. He also knew this would lead to His arrest, mock trial, beating and crucifixion. He knew.
So why did He put Himself through all of this?
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:21 NLT
Jesus knew the Father’s plan and He submitted to it willingly.
“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:2-3 ERV
He knew and He endured the cruelty because He also knew that joy that was waiting for Him.
Jesus knew that His obedience of suffering for sin would keep us from having to pay that price!
Now we can look ahead and see that we have been made right with God and our future is glorious!