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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 - September 11, 2000

Elijah #10

Elijah illustrates the Lord's statements (Mat 10:32-39). Scripture is there for our benefit (Rom 15:4, 1Co 11:10, 2Ti 3:16). Elijah was just like us and afraid (Jam 5:17). Elijah is under more than a physical conflict (1Ki 19:1-3). Satan is behind the scene attacking him. The greatest danger is after a victory. When we give into fear we do stupid things. Elijah prays to die (1Ki 19:4). Though we are faithless, God remains faithful (2Ti 2:13). He provided everything to Elijah. "What are you doing here,Elijah?" (1Ki 19:9-12) When the Lord asks questions we have no answers. God won't deliver us through signs. Don't look for the Lord in strong winds, fires and earthquakes. God asks again. The problem behind problems is sin. Elijah is preoccupied with himself and his importance (1Ki 19:13-14). God has Elijah appoint his successor, who anoints the King of Israel, and his servant (1Ki 19:15-17, 2Ti 2:2). God wants impact for the cause of Christ (Heb 5:12). Elijah was disillusioned making the same mistakes we do (1Ki 19:18).

Scripture References: James 5:17, Romans 15:4, Matthew 10:32-39, Hebrews 5:12

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