Jesus warns Peter—not just for his violence, but for interfering with the will of God. Because Jesus doesn’t need Peter to defend Him from death. If He intended to escape, Jesus could do it with a snap of His fingers, or with a single prayer.
I can’t imagine what it would be like to be facing death by crucifixion, and to know that at any moment, you could call 24,000 angels to rescue you—and not do it. Moment after moment after moment. What a temptation that must have been!
And yet for Jesus, maybe not. Because much as He wanted to avoid the pain and suffering, He wanted something else more. He wanted you—and me. He wanted to see us free from the power of sin, death, and the devil. He wanted to see us happy, forgiven, and blessed—living forever in God’s kingdom, full of joy and peace. How could that happen? Only if Jesus went through with it—dying and rising again from the dead.
And so Jesus went through with it—because He had your face and mine before His eyes.
WE PRAY: Lord, there is nothing I can say except “Thank You.” Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What would have happened to us if Jesus had rescued Himself?
* When did you go through something hard, to benefit someone you loved?
* Why does Jesus love you so?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.