What if You Knew How and When You Would Die?
When Jesus was on this earth, He knew the circumstances leading up to His death. He knew how it would happen. He knew that Judas would betray Him into the hands of those who would kill Him. He knew death was near. And He knew what a cruel death He would die.
What would we do if we knew all that? We would try to avoid the pain at all costs. We would try to escape our trials. Or maybe we would become worried and afraid and completely fall apart.
Here’s where Jesus is all together different than us. He knew these things were coming, but He didn’t try to escape the pain. He didn’t try to run away from the beatings. He didn’t try to avoid the crown of thorns place on His head. He didn’t try to escape the cross.
He could have, you know? They were mocking Him. He could have come down and destroyed all of His enemies. But He didn’t. He endured the suffering and pain on that cross willingly. Jesus Himself says that they couldn’t take His life if He didn’t let them: “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (Jn 10:17-18). He faithfully trusted in His Father. Jesus died on the cross so that you could have forgiveness and eternal life.
Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, you do not need to be afraid of death. You do not need to be afraid even though you don’t know what tomorrow brings. You don’t need to be afraid even though life is short and death is certain. If you trust in Jesus, then “you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:3).
If you have turned from your own selfishness and trust in Jesus Christ, this promise is for you… this promise is for Jesus’ sheep. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (Jn 10:27-29).
