Tuesday | Week 14

You know the end of this familiar story (perhaps so familiar, it’s “old news”). But look at the individual events in Jesus’ march toward the end with fresh eyes today. Read it through 2-3 times, praying for God to give you new insight as you watch Jesus in each scene. What do you learn about Jesus: His character and His purpose? Do you see any repeated phrases that reveal DEEP Truth? Keep your eyes on Jesus and what makes you love Him more?

Watch Jesus boldly approach His destiny. From John 18:1-11, He identifies Himself three times as, “I am he”. I AM. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into this world—to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37, ESV). 

Watch Jesus intentionally fulfill ancient prophecy. Seven times, (count them), you read the phrase, “to fulfill the word (Scripture) that was spoken”. This number does not include even more events that exactly fulfilled the Word’s prophecy. His march was resolute. He was determined to complete each word spoken of Him in the Old Testament. That is how vital the written Word was to its Author!

Watch Jesus boldly proclaim the Truth in the face of lies. (John 18:19-23, 36-37; 19:11). Here is the Person of Truth speaking the Truth.

Watch Jesus endure the illegal trials, the hatred, the mocking, the scourging, the nails. Jesus withheld His Almighty Power. He could have silenced the words. He could have come off that Cross.

Jesus’ resolute march to His purpose was driven by His deep, deep love for you and me; and by His Father’s justice that required that the Perfect Lamb bear the sin of the world. To the watching world, the trial and crucifixion of Jesus is the greatest crime and tragedy in history. In the eyes of God, it was the fulfillment of prophecy and the accomplishment of His will. It was not tragedy—it was VICTORY.

So, what in these events makes you love Jesus more? What is your reasonable response? What is your reasonable act of worship to the fulfillment of God’s plan from eternity past?