Devotion 3.29.15

"If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country  - Victory or Death."
        - Col. William Travis, Alamo

What makes someone knowingly go into his or her own death?  That question is usually one we ask ourselves when we consider the Battle of the Alamo or some Civil War battle.  It is expressed in Travis's letter when he says he will "sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier."

So it is with this week.  Christ enters the city of Jerusalem in triumph on Sunday (the day after the Jewish Sabbath) and by week's end, he finds himself crucified.  How?  He knew of his death because he foretold of it on many occasions with his disciples. What were his thoughts as he rode into the city with the crowd who loved him?  Did he know it was about to come to an end?  Certainly the main thing we know is he was fulfilling the Father's will. We know it from his prayer in the garden, "Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." (Matthew 26:42)

Paul writes, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient t the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8). 

Christ's sins?  Ours.  Christ's guilt?  Ours.  Christ's mission?  Reconciliation for us with his Father through his suffering, death and resurrection.  This is our focus throughout the week.  We pray for forgiveness and thankfulness for this reconciliation.

Hope Men's Ministry