Verse of the Day - John 17:10-11

"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."
~ John 17:10-11 (NIV)

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It's amazing how much power the Jewish leaders and Pilate thought they had over Jesus. What they did to him and how they did it would lead most anyone to think they were in control of Christ's destiny, having the power to maim and destroy him in such a horrific manner. I'm sure they felt He was putty in their hands, with His followers not even lifting a finger to help or rescue Him. But Jesus made it clear this was not their doing...it was God Himself who had ordained this sacrifice. Rather than Jesus being the pawn in their hands, they were the pawns in God's hands.

Although they were too short-sighted or ignorant to understand or remember, God had set His redemption plan in motion way back in the Garden of Eden, when man and woman sealed the fate of the entire human race -- sealed for death. But God is a loving God and had the Great Bailout already in mind, and Jesus had willingly stepped up to the plate to make it happen...

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.' ~ Hebrews 10:5-7 (NIV)

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. ~ Isaiah 53:9-12 (NIV)

What God ordained, Jesus offered willingly. Today, on this Good Friday, think about God's great plan to rescue you from sure eternal death, and Jesus' willingness to pay your price. I pray that you will take the gift of salvation through faith in His great sacrifice that was made over 2,000 years ago on this fateful, yet hope-filled, day.

Love,
Joelene