Jesus Knew What He Was Doing

Scripture
 
Philippians 2:5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6     who, though he was in the form of God,
        did not regard equality with God
        as something to be exploited,
7     but emptied himself,
        taking the form of a slave,
        being born in human likeness.
    And being found in human form,
8         he humbled himself
        and became obedient to the point of death—
        even death on a cross.

Phil. 2:9        Therefore God also highly exalted him
        and gave him the name
        that is above every name,
10     so that at the name of Jesus
        every knee should bend,
        in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11     and every tongue should confess
        that Jesus Christ is Lord,
        to the glory of God the Father.

Observation

Jesus emptied himself to come to earth to provide a way of salvation for all of us. He knew what he was doing, but it wasn’t always easy.

Application

Today is Palm Sunday and we usually focus on the excitement that was experienced in Jerusalem on that day. But what was it that would transform a cheering crowd into one clamoring for the death of Jesus in just a few days? The reality is that Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday well aware of what would happen to him by the end of the week. He was willing to go through it all for the sake of all of us. He had begun the journey long before, when he willingly gave up his place with the Father and was born as an infant, completely dependent upon the care of his human parents. Even then the healing work of Christ that would lead to the resurrection had begun. Jesus was creating a pathway for humanity to become like him. In the garden tomb he refers to his Father as also the Father of the disciples. The pathway for adoption would be completed in the acts of Jesus Christ.

While Jesus knew what he was doing, so we ought to be intentional with our actions. There may be times that we submit to unpleasant circumstances for the sake of others. In our desire to avoid pain and suffering, we may protect ourselves but create great loss for others. Jesus knew what he was doing and willingly submitted himself to every experience of Holy Week. As we follow Christ we take up our cross and willingly submit ourselves to his leading and authority in our lives. We intentionally go into those spaces where we may experience pain, all for the sake of the lost whom Jesus loves.

We, too, should know what we are doing when we follow Jesus. Sometimes it will be like Palm Sunday and others it will be like Good Friday, but all with intentionality for the sake of the world whom God loved.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to live my life with intentionality for you. Amen.