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When God Was About To Die
Brian Mashburn
May 10, 2015
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When God Was About To Die
The looming doom of the cross is now heavy on the mind of Jesus. He will be killed. He understood this. But his sweet band of trusting followers, despite his best efforts to explain it, didn't. This would be the most trying three days of their lives.
So before he was betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Temple guard, he looked his team in the eyes, and gave them one final, desperate speech. He told them six things - six profound truths - and he even tells them why he is telling them: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (Jn 16:33)
Do you see it? He wanted them to have anchors for their hearts that would sustain them through impossible looking circumstances.
What anchors could possibly do that? What mere facts have the power to maintain peace no matter what trouble we face in the world? According to Jesus, they are these:
Trust God. Jn 14:1-31
Stay connected to Jesus. Jn 15:1-8
Love each other. Jn 15:9-17
The world is not your friend. Jn 15:18 & 16:4
What appears to be bad is best. Jn 16:5-22
God loves you. Jn 16:23-33
There is heart-securing power here, according to Jesus. Just by believing these, you can conquer fear, maintain joy, and face the difficult world with peaceful victory without straying; according to Jesus, anyway.
With this, Jesus prayed. He asked for glory for God, mission in the world, and unity among believers.
May we be the answer to his prayer.