But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will, O God.’ ” Hebrews 10:4-7
Jesus made it very clear that doing the will of the Father was His life’s purpose. From the decision for Jesus to be born in the flesh like one of us, to His death on the cross, Jesus obeyed the will of the Father. He never did anything on His own; He always sought and obeyed the Father’s will:
For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:49,50
Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. John 5:19-20
Doing the Father’s will never left the mind of Jesus, no matter what He was busy with, or the circumstances He found Himself in. There was the day when He waited at Jacob’s well while the disciples went to buy food for them. A woman arrived to draw some water from the well, and He started a conversation with her that led her entire town to faith in Him. Just then the disciples arrived and offered Him something to eat:
But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4:32-34
A dreadful day came when that unity broke for a few moments. His assignment was in its last stages, and the pressure became unbearable. He was about to be tortured by ungodly men, His body torn apart and nailed to a cross to die as a criminal among criminals. Not only that, the sin of the world in all its cruelty and unspeakable filth would also be laid upon Him. He asked His disciples to pray with Him:
Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 26:40,41
He was about to experience the wrath of God as punishment for the sins of the world, and He reeled at the prospect of what was waiting on Him. Those were bitter moments for the Son of God! His prayer is recorded for us:
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:41-44
It is not clear what was more horrible to Him: the physical pain of the cross, or the sin of the world that would be laid upon Him. Not only would He be separated from the Father for the very first time, but instead of His love, God’s wrath would be poured out on Him. The torment was so intense that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.
There was a momentary clashing of wills as Jesus asked the Father, if possible, to change His will concerning this last work He had to do on earth. The Father did not answer — the plan was in motion, their agreement had to be fulfilled because the salvation of humanity was at stake. There was no turning back.
Someone worthy had to pay the penalty for the sins of humanity, and there was only One who qualified. The ancient law that required innocent blood to cover the sin of the guilty, had to be brought to a final end. A new covenant had to replace the old one. God Himself would provide the pure blood that takes away sin, once and for all, from all who long for the presence of God. Love has spoken; God’s will had to be done according to their agreement:
…then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:9-14
Salvation is free, but not cheap. Love is the driving force behind it. The prayer that God loves to answer, is the one below, because He still has you in mind!
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:20-23
Jesus thought of you when He prayed that prayer, and He shed His blood so that it could be answered. Will you bend your will, like He bent His will, to obey the Father, and follow Him? All He wants to do is save you from the wrath that He endured for your sin.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16,17
