I owe this message to the teachings of Gary Johnson and thank him for sharing his vast knowledge.
“Destination - The Cross”
The other day I was reading letters to God from little kids and I felt this one was in line with my message. Dear God, I bet it is real hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only four people in our family and I can never do it. Love, Nan
Even as adults we wonder how God can love everybody but He does.
Do you believe in predestination? God did, because when He created the world He knew there would come an exact time that He would send His Son Jesus to save the world.
Nothing matters more to God than lost people. REPEAT
There are many scriptures that prove this statement to be true and refer to just how much God loves us.
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “
Romans 5:6 says, “For God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of man came to seek and save the lost.”
God knew the time, He knew the place, and He knew the way Jesus would make the ultimate sacrifice and He revealed it to Jesus.
Jesus often told His disciples that He would die for the world but it never really sunk in to them.
John 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
When poisonous snakes infected the Israelite’s camp Moses made a bronze snake and attached it to a pole and lifted it up. When those who were bitten looked at the pole with faith they were healed.
Jesus says He will be lifted up on a cross and those who turn in faith to Him will be saved from their sins.
He again makes reference to the way He will die in John 12:30-33.
So Jesus knew that He must die on the cross and He had to make sure that He protected Himself from any other type of death.
There were four ways in which Jesus protected himself.
First was by withdrawing.
John 7:1-9
Jesus purposely stayed away from places that could result in His premature death.
After Jesus was told the news of the death of His friend Lazarus his disciples warned Him not to go back to Judea but Jesus knew when He could go safely.
The second way He protected himself was by surrounding himself with supporters.
Huge crowds followed Jesus almost everywhere He went.
When Jesus feed the five thousand they tried to follow Him. It would have been hard to get close to Jesus in order to harm Him because He was so protected by those that believed in Him.
Matthew 21:45-46
The chief priest and Pharisees were afraid to try and arrest Him because knew they would have a fight on their hands.
The third way Jesus protected himself was by giving cautious answers.
What did Jesus refer to himself as? He said He was the Son of Man, He didn’t declare himself the Son of God until He was ready to give them a reason.
When He answered their questions He always spoke with caution.
And finally Jesus protected himself by expertly managing the final week of His life which brings us to today and what we call Palm Sunday.
Why did Jesus return to Jerusalem? He had to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem.
Everything was already in place for His destination to the cross.
Matthew 21:1-11
As He made His triumphal entry people praised Him, even the ones who would turn against Him and crucify Him.
Matthew 21:12-13
The money changers! Why were they doing this? EXPLAIN
After He had caused this mighty ruckus in the temple He left the city of Jerusalem and we are told in verse 17 He went back to stay at Bethany, about 2 miles from Jerusalem.
Jesus would go back each day to the temple court and teach but each evening He went back to Bethany where He was safe.
Matthew 26:1-5
Now Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray Him so in order for Him to not be arrested until He had celebrated the feast with His disciples He kept the meeting place a secret.
Luke 22:7-13
The key for Peter and John was the man carrying the jar of water. Women carried water.
John 13:1-5
This was also planned. When someone came into a house there were servants to wash their feet but at the Last Supper there were none. Jesus was teaching His disciples to be servants.
John 13:18-30
Notice how the disciples still didn’t think of anything unusual because if Jesus would have not let Judas leave the rest of them most likely would have seized Judas and may even have killed him.
So all these things were pre-destined and carefully planned out so at just the right time, place, and type of death would take place.
Next Sunday I will conclude this series with the events of the crucifixion.
Now even though these things were all planned our lives are not.
We still have free will and now comes the opportunity to use our free will.
Invitation:
