Jesus came to earth in obedience to his Father. He had a purpose and he fulfilled it. Being fully God and fully man meant he experienced the full extent of the same emotions we do. In my Bible reading I came across John 13:21a “After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit” It made me pause and ask, “Why was Jesus troubled in spirit?” In context, he had alluded to Judas betraying him twice and now, he came out and bluntly told the disciples one of them was going to betray him.
Was Jesus troubled in spirit because the one he loved was making poor choices? Was his heart broken over Judas betrayal? Or was he troubled in spirit at his upcoming suffering and death? Which ever reason, I am overwhelmed with humility when I think about how much it cost Jesus to die. If Jesus was troubled in spirit over Judas betrayal, it makes me think how much my sin must grieve him too. There are many verses that show Jesus’ emotional pain at his impending death.
Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
John 12:27 “”Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour”
Matt 26:38 “Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Is 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
Jesus didn’t want to go to the cross. Yet he willingly set aside his desires and walked the path he knew God had laid out for him.
John 18:11 “Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
How often am I unwilling to walk the path God has planned for me? How often do I complain, argue and blatantly disobey? How often do I think I know better than God, Himself? What pride. What arrogance.
Thank you, Jesus for willingly obeying the Father even when you didn’t want to. Thank you for submitting to emotional and physical pain – for me. Your love overwhelms me. I pray for your help today to obey the Father’s voice even when I don’t want to. I pray for strength to love even when it costs me pain. I am humbled and in awe of the depth of your love for me and want to be more like you each moment. I just want to say, “Thank you.” In your precious name, Amen.
The fact that Jesus didn’t want to go to the cross has always been one of my favorite aspects of the gospel. This post puts to words just why that is– I am comforted to know that He knows what it’s like to face something I don’t want to do or suffer through. Great choices on scripture!
Thanks. I agree -so glad God doesn’t ask us to do something He hasn’t. He understands completely.