This week we remember Good Friday and celebrate Easter. What was it like for Jesus to know how the events of this week would play out? To know He was about to become sin. Considering this reminded me of my first Lamaze class. My stomach tightened watching the first childbirth movie. I didn’t want to go forward, and I couldn’t go back. I felt trapped.

My husband didn’t share my panic. He wasn’t the one facing labor and delivery.

Considering what this week must have been like for Jesus heightens my appreciation for what He suffered to free me from the power and penalty of sin. Remembering strengthens my desire to honor His sacrifice in how I live (Romans 12:1-2).

For the joy of gaining a child, I endured eight months of vomiting and a week of labor. Yeah, my first pregnancy made me think litters are a great way to have a family. But that can’t compare with what Jesus endured.

Think of how damaging it is for an innocent child to witness a horrible crime. Now think of pure Jesus, who never even had a bad thought, taking on every sin that had ever or would ever be committed by every person who ever had lived or will live.

I didn’t want to go through childbirth. Jesus didn’t want the shame of being stripped and hung on a cross to suffer both man’s and God’s wrath.

In the wilderness, God the Father began preparing Jesus to face this greatest of all temptations. Satan whispered, “If You are the Son of God…” take this shortcut to glory. He resisted each one, including the one to throw Himself down from the temple pinnacle.

On the cross the strength of this temptation intensified when men taunted, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” He could have come down. Nails couldn’t hold Him on the cross unless He chose to stay there.

Imagine standing on burning coals in utter agony watching your flesh melt away and having the freedom to walk away. Jesus had the power to come down from the cross when the flames of God’s wrath ravaged Him.

Why did Jesus stay on the cross?

“Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame” (Hebrews 11:2 NLT).

In the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night of His betrayal, He asked His Father to save Him.

“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God” (Hebrews 5:7 NLT).

If God heard Jesus, why did He have to die on Good Friday?

God showed Jesus the joy on the other side of the cross. Maybe God showed Him your face as well as the faces of each one He’d rescue from hell by suffering in our place.

If anyone ever says Jesus is one of many ways to God, point them to Good Friday. What kind of father would put his son through hell so his enemy could have more options to salvation?

When the nurse put my newborn into my arms, I knew she was worth the nine months of pregnancy and hours of labor. When Jesus looks at His own, He says, “You’re worth it.”

“Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up” (Hebrews 12: 2-3 NLT).

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NLT).

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Blessings,

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