Jesus’ Perspective on His own Death

These are Written
Believe
Should Not Perish
3:16
Never, Never
Life, Love, Light
Condemned by Choice
This and That
Seven Expressions of Love from the Cross
Why?
I know, I know!
What?
UGH!
Expedient
Gain Grace?
The Gift
The Hands of God
Immortality
COME UP HERE
Not by Works of Righteousness We have Done
Jesus’ Perspective on His own Death
I AM

Download or order the free booklet “The Gift” here: https://basictraining.org/the-gift/

Thanks to the American Bible Society “The Gospel of John” for the video scenes.

I want to remind us of the perspective that Jesus, our Savior, had concerning His own death. Because I think it helps us appreciate it a little bit more. His death was 1) Purposeful, 2) Voluntary, 3) Joyful, and 4) Glorious.

Well, first of all, His death was purposeful. He recognized that He was going to die. John 12:27 says, “What shall I say, Father, do not let this hour come upon me. But that is why I came.”

The purpose of his death was also voluntary. It was a voluntary or volitional outpouring of His love, and it showed full and true submission to God, the Father. Romans 5:8, “for God demonstrates his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In the garden, Jesus said three times to the Father, “not My will, but Your will be done.” In John 10:17-18 Jesus said, “The Father loves me because I’m willing to give up My life in order that I may receive it back again. No one takes My life away from Me. I give it up of My own free will. I have the right to give it up and I have the right to take it back.This is what my father has commanded me to do.”

His death was purposeful. His death was voluntary. His death was also joyful. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus was fully aware of the pain and the suffering that He would face at the cross, but He had his eyes on the joy, and that joy was purchasing our eternal destiny.

And then finally, Jesus considered death as the path to glory. In John 12:23 He said those words, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to receive great glory.” And this is an amazing verse to me because this is shortly before the passion week. This is shortly before He would go through all of that suffering, the betrayal, the arrest, the scourging, the piercing of his hands and feet, the crown of thorns on his head, and the gathering up the sins of the world that pierced His heart. He didn’t say the time has come for the Son of Man to be tortured and tormented and suffer for the sins of the world. No, He said, “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” He ignored the suffering and kept his eyes on the glory. And if we can grasp the truth of that verse, it would totally change our perspective of the sufferings in our life.

So this is His perspective of His own death. He was born to die.

Gene Cunningham - June 9, 2000

Life of Moses #18

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Blessing comes from utilizing provisions of God's grace. Mosaic Law follows the Abrahamic covenant by 430 years; the law entered because of transgression (Gal 3:17-19, Rom 5:20). Law of God (Rom 7:22, Psa 19:7) is the total revelation of God's standards; Law of Moses; Law of Christ (Rom 8:2, Jam 1:25) the Spirit enables us to do the things God would have us do. Law: (1) reveals God's Holiness (Deu 5:22); (2) given to reveal man's sinfulness; (3) given to separate the nation of Israel (Psa 147:19-20, Eph 2:11-17); (4) establishes set a standard of blessing based on obedience; (5) given to prepare the nation for the coming of Christ (Gal 3:24); (6) is a shadow of things to come (Heb 10:1). Law cannot: (1)justify (Rom 2:20-28); (2) law cannot provide righteousness (Gal 2:24); (3) law cannot bring perfection or sanctify (Heb 7:11-19, Heb 10:1-2); (4) law cannot bring peace to heart of man (Heb 9:9); (5) law cannot give life (Gal 3:21, 2Co 3); (6) cannot make us spiritual (Gal 3, Act 15). The ten commandments (Exo 20:1- 26). One represents unity (Exo 20:2-3) - "no other gods before Me" (Joh 4:24, 1Pe 3:15, Col 1:18). Satan violated this with his 5 "I wills". When God has His rightful place there is peace and harmony. Two is the number of witness - to God alone - no idols (1Co 10:20). Idolatry is disciplined by God for generations afterward (Exo 20:4-5). Two is used as a testimony of a true believer. If we love him we'll keep His commandments (Exo 20:6, Joh 14:23, Joh 15:10) Three is the number of the Trinity. "Name" is the reputation of God (Exo 20:7). We violate the third commandment when we call ourselves reverend or Christian(Psa 111:9, Mat 6:9). We are blessed by all three members. Four is the number of Earth (Exo 20:8-11) - remember the sabbath. It takes work to live (1Th 4:11, 2Th 3:10-12). Work builds character. Five is number of Grace - honor Father and Mother (Exo 20:12) - parents are a gift of Grace (Eph 6:2, Luk 2:52). Grace changes people. No one is transformed by hostility. Six is the number of man (Exo 20:13) - shall not murder (Gen 9:5-6, Mat 5:21-22). Seven means divine fulfillment (Exo 20:14) - do not commit adultery recognizes marraige as the foundation of society. Eight is the number of new beginning (Exo 20:15). When men regard the possessions and privacy of others it's a new beginning -- "love your neighbor..." not steal (Rom 13:8, Eph 4:28 - transformation of a thief to a giver). Nine is the number of human failing (e.g. 9 lepers walked away) (Exo 20:16). False witness causes the greatest devastation (i.e. slander, maligning, half-truth, and innuendo); we pass on things concerning others that are not edifying; that's false witness (Jam 3:1-18). Ten is the number of Divine rule (Exo 20:17, Rom 7:7). thou shalt not covet is putting self first and not allowing God His will; the pure in heart rests in what God provides (Mat 5:8, 1Ti 6:6-8). New Testament application: (1) "No other God" Col 1:18 - Christ preeminent in our life (1Pe 3:15); (2) No idols (Mat 6:33); (3) We are called by the Name of the Lord (Eph 4:1 - walk worthy); (4) Sabbath is not repeated in the N.T. (reason: it was a sign - Exo 31:13), but principle of moment by moment rest is (Heb 4:3, Heb 3:9-11); (5) Attitude to those in spiritual leadership (Eph 6:1-2, Heb 13:7-17); (6) Hatred to brothers (Joh 13:35, 1Jo 3:12); (7) Faithfulness in marraige, and to our Groom, Christ (1Co 7:1-40, 1Co 6:17-20); (8) we rob God of what is His due (1Co 6:20, 2Co 8:1-7); (9) false witness; we don't have a missionary zeal (Mat 28:18-20, Act 1:8); (10) Covet - If we are content, we won't covet (1Ti 6:6-8). Summary: We are empowered by the Spirit to excel the law; we're above it -- our standard is the life of Christ (Joh 1:17). Love for God and man summarizes the law (Rom 13:9). Challenge: Why do we study the Law? Danger is that we're willing to hear, but no intention to do (2Ti 3:5, 2Ti 3:7, Mat 15:8). We need to pray that God create a true thirst and hunger for righteousness (Mat 5:6). Illumination without transformation is evidence of betrayal, disloyalty, and insubordination to Christ. We need to unconditionally surrender; obedience is the fruit of loving Him.