When we are pushed to the corner, when we are in a difficult situation, we have choices to make. A superior choice which may be painful in the short term, but beneficial long term or an relatively inferior choice which may be pleasurable short term, but not beneficial in the long term.
We have gone through situations like these. In the past we would have made inferior choices. But relying on Jesus and the Holy Spirit we see ourselves making better choices.
Let us now study about Jesus, our Lord and saviour. He was fully man when he had to make choices. Jesus tells his disciples that the time has come. The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. ( John 12:23b NKJV)
Jesus explains further and says that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it produces much grain. Jesus continues and explains further for the disciples. He who loves his life on this earth will lose it. He who values eternal life more will get it. Thus, he who relatively values the earthly life less, will keep it for eternity.
Jesus says if anyone serves Him, Father God would Honour Him.
Jesus says that His soul is troubled. He seeks Father God to save Him from this hour. Yet confessing that it was for this hour that He came. The focus, awareness and drive in spite of knowing the pain, intense pain he had to undergo towards and during the crucifixion. First time, no precedence. Yet knowing all the prophecies. Confessing strength and determination. Confessing steadfastness.
Jesus went ahead and said: Father, glorify Your name. ( John 12:28a NKJV)
Then a voice from heaven came and said. I have glorified it and will glorify it again. ( John 12:28b NKJV)
It is in this context Jesus said, that now is the judgement of the world, that now the satan and evil will be cast out, power will be ripped from satan and he will be conquered, crushed and defeated. All this because of the cross, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus told at this time. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. (John 12:32 NKJV) . He said this signifying his crucifixion on the cross.
Yes, with the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross, all who believed in Jesus are redeemed by the blood of the blemishless lamb. All who were slaves to sin and accepted the crucified Jeesus are drawn unto Jesus in a new redeemed life of freedom.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)
Here is Jesus’ conversation to his disciples after his resurrection on their way to Emmaus . Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.( Luke 24:46,47 NKJV)
Jesus’s conversation to Martha, sister of Lazarus, friend of Jesus whom Jesus brought back to life after 4 days of his death. The conversation shown below happened much before Jesus resurrected Lazarus. His sisters had hesitated to get the stone removed from the tomb of the cave where Lazarus was buried because four days after death could cause a stench. In spite of all the odds, Jesus brought back Lazarus to life. The conversation below foretold what was to happen. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25,26 NKJV)
May the Holy Spirit remind you to trust in the Lord God with all your understanding. Let us not make the mistake of leaning on our limited understanding. Let us draw near to the crucified Jesus Christ. We are redeemed. We are resurrected. Sin does not have dominion over us. We are free. We walk in freedom. Great Peace and abundant Joy is our portion.
