“No one takes (my life) from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:18
In case we are in any doubt, Jesus reminds us that he and the Father have the same mind and heart. It was the Father’s will and plan that Jesus would lay down his life for us. At the same time, Jesus’ death is entirely voluntary. Neither he nor his Father relished the suffering he had to go through, but for our sakes Jesus knowing the cost made the choice to stick with the plan.
It was a life-changing experience for me when I fully understood the depth of love in the heart of Father in equipping and commissioning Jesus for this great sacrifice. At that point, it was shocking to me that I had previously been so offhand and arrogant. I am so thankful for the gift of forgiveness. When I grasp the magnitude of the Father’s love for me, and Jesus’ active part in this, I find I am much more able to respond in willing obedience.
Let’s Pray…
that the Spirit will help you understand what it meant to the Father to take away your sin.
that you may show the same willing obedience and trust in Father as Jesus did.