Mark 15: 2 “”Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.”

Matthew 26:53 “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Jesus chose to go to the cross, even deciding when the truth about himself should be revealed. All through his tortures and trials, Jesus refused to answer the charges against him. Finally, when failure to answer would have saved his life, Jesus chose to speak up and reveal himself as the chosen Messiah. As Matthew’sgospel points out, at any time during his suffering Jesus could have cried out to his Father and legions of angels would have been sent to rescue him. How many of us could have withstood such horrific abuse, such unabated pain, such complete abandonment and not cried out “Enough! I quit! Save me!”? It is all the more amazing to realize that rescue, relief, and safety were his for the asking. What kept him from crying out? What kept him from turning from completing his mission? Eternity with you and me…if we would only accept his free sacrifice.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, how much you must love me to not walk away when rescue was just a call away. How many times have I taken the ‘easy route’ rather than follow what was best because it seemed too hard, or too big a price to pay? Just as your Father gave you the strength to do what he sent you to do, help me remember that when you ask something of me, send me on a mission, you will give me all that I need to see it through. Give me the courage to not quit but see it through as you did. In your amazing name I pray- Amen