Day 33 – He is Intentional 

It always grips my heart that Jesus knew what was about to happen and He didn’t resist being taken. Over and over in the gospels, we read the story of Jesus telling His disciples that He will be taken, He will go away, He will be lifted up, and He will be betrayed. They didn’t get it. They didn’t understand the magnitude of His words. This band of brothers, they all say to Him, that they will follow Him to the death. They say that they will not leave His side. But He knows. He knows that He must be forsaken by all. He must go alone.

Matthew 26:31-35  Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

We all have good intentions. I have tried more times than I care to admit to change, modify, and fix my own life. My good intentions to “do better” always fall short. Peter made big statements about dying with Jesus. He still fell away. He was one of Jesus’s closest disciples. He walked with Him. Talked with Him. Watched Him perform miracles. He knew who He was and he still denied Him. They all fell away. Jesus didn’t fault them, condemn them, or get angry that they were weak. He knew it and we know it. For all our boasting of our own ability and strength, we have always been weak and unable to stand without Jesus. Jesus was willing to be struck down, so that, the weak would be made strong through His sacrifice. He is intentional! The devil thought he had Him. He would kill the son of God. Jesus looked weak to him, but through humility, He gives up His very life. Jesus’s good intention, intended to make us free. To die on a cross seemed weak for a King, but it would be the strength that sets us free. – Tweet That! 

PRAYER: Lord, I lay down all my good intentions and I lean into the cross that has made me free from having to perform to get love, acceptance, and worth. 

Have you been trying to live up to some standard that you keep falling short of? Are you tired and about to give up? Come to the cross. Recieve that free gift of grace that keeps coming toward you. His intention was never to make you a different kind of slave. He came to set you free.

Thanks for Listening,

Starla