Love, humility, truth, forgiveness, obedience, suffering and righteousness is some of what it costs for freedom from the bondage of sin(evil).

Jesus was so unbelievable good to endure all that he had for us. I can only imagine the fear, the physical and emotional pain he must have endured. To watch those you care and love so much fill with rage and hate against you for no reason at all. His heart must of been so heavy and broken. Knowing Jesus he probably didn’t even make it about himself, but was crying for humanity.

Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane as he cried out to the “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39 This shows the emotional disposition of Jesus as his emotions is running high as the dread of the evilness of humanity is drawing closer upon him, our sins, weaknesses, temptations, doubts, fears and death, he was now about to overcome for all of humanity. Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane though divine, his fears and concerns are just like ours. His divinity slowly fades into the back ground as he allowed his full humanity to come forth, coming very much vulnerable to what was coming for him without resistance. Jesus was captured and secretly judged by the religious leaders, spat upon, slapped, ridiculed, called a blasphemer…hated.

The attack of the physical body. Jesus was then presented to Pontus Pilate the Roman governor for judgment who decided to appease the people by having Jesus scourge (flagellation), but yet they cried to crucify him. The soldiers after flogging Jesus twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head, clothed him in a purple rob mocking him saying again and again, “ hail, king of the Jews” slapping him in the face. Jesus mind must of been emotionally distraught and his physical body just wounded and broken by all the whippings. The mind and the body in collaboration is the first to begin to breakdown. Pain has a tendency to over loads the mind and heart causing mental trauma.

The scourging at the pillar is not what too many people preach about, but it’s meaning is important. It was the breaking of spirit out of the body which is being shocked. If you have ever experienced pain that the mind goes into shock and stop registering to the brain the pain, like the nerves just stop operating and you feel no more pain. A coping mechanism of the brain itself. Almost forty years ago this had happened to me, that they had to operate on me without anesthesia. It took almost twenty-four hours with medication for my body to unlock the mechanism of the shock. Jesus began to die from that moment on, the reason he fell carrying the cross when they called for an random man Simon of Cyrene. Jesus had to hold on until he got to the cross because the blood was already spilled. The cross was where the fire had to take place. The consuming of the fire took place so God can send the wind to blow it throughout the entire world. It was not for him to die no other place.

I cry each time I think of what Jesus must of gone through for humanity and still some of us are so ungrateful. Why do we want him to return again? For some to make life easy, and have peace for eternity? He already had done that for us, “why we can’t believe and except it?” He’s returning to give everyone a chance to repent to enjoy the peace and love of God the kingdom brings to all. The lesson of knowledge of good and evil, Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Genesis 50:20 Joseph said to his brothers, “as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Whatever the devil meant for evil God will use it for good. He’s always in control.

I thought I had to meet Jesus at the cross with all my trials and tribulations, but he let me know, he’s with me at my cross because “He’s risen!” He did tell me to take up my cross and follow him. As the Father was with him, so shall he be with me. “To see me is to see the Father,” says Jesus. “I can only pray that when others sees me I can also reflect you Jesus and thy glory too Lord.” Though the cross maybe heavy and a brutal burden, “Thank you Lord for being with me.” It is the power of love that takes us to cross and rises us up again.