That Thursday eve so long ago, my Savior willingly surrendered to a mob he knew would kill Him. Why? He knew He would be whipped with cords with metal tips on them, tearing His flesh until His muscles were shredded, and the bones visible. He knew He would be mocked and nailed to a cross by the very people He came to save, breaking His heart. Stripped and crucified like a common criminal, the Lover of my soul hung there in humiliation and deepest agony. He could have called down 10,000 angels to rescue Him from horrible mistreatment and death, annihilating those who treated Him so shamefully, but He didn’t. Why not?

The reason – He was obedient to His Father to the death.

Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6‭-‬11

The other reason –

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT

He said if we love Him because of all He has done for us, we will keep His commandments.

“If you love me, obey my commandments.
John 14:15 NLT

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:21 NLT

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. John 14:23‭-‬24 NLT

In the way Jesus brought God glory by His obedience, we bring honor to God by our obedience. May God give us love and courage to be faithful to the death.

Remember all the times Jesus went off by Himself to pray? He is our example. Satan is only afraid of us when we have been on our knees. The power is God’s, not ours.

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Matthew 26:41 NLT