Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand....And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Isaiah 53:10, Ephesians 5:2
As I continue my preparation to lead worship at the Gardens and The Lodge on Sunday 30MAR (pausing on my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume), I march forward in my use of DesiringGod.com's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, which I started reading today. My hope with this devotional is that I can of course primarily prepare my heart for Holy Week and Easter, but also prepare for worship at the The Gardens and The Lodge on 30MAR. Yesterday's devotional/post shared the first reason why Jesus came to die as He came to absorb the wrath of God - we all sin, and the OT sacrificial system and the obedience to the law as a path to God proved insufficient to ensure God's people remained obedient to Him and free from the sting of sin and the associated consequences. God had to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross. From the devotional, my reading for today is the second reason why Jesus came to die: to please His Heavenly Father. The devotion highlights how it was God's idea and plan to send His Son to die on the cross and we are referred to 2 Timothy 1:9, and Isaiah 53:4-6. This plan was set in motion before the ages began and is well documented to be unfolding in the Old Testament, with Isaiah's Messianic prophecies serving as just one example of many from the Jewish scriptures. God's idea to send His Son - is supported in scripture with many examples, including Isaiah 53:10. We are then connected to the notion that Jesus willingly died on the cross to please the Father and we are referred to Ephesians 5:2. We must let this sink in! God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son to save us (John 3:16), and Jesus loved the Father (and us) so much that He was willing to die on the cross to please Him AND save us! Rejoice in the love of the Father and the love of the Son!
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible awesome God that You gave us Your Son and Jesus that You loved the Father and me to please Him and save me...incredible! I am not worthy of such acts of love. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
