THE CROSS, FATHER’S WILL

One thing about us that is very different from Jesus is that we have the gospels before us and we look back to what happened, we go from picture to reality, from essence to story, from shadow to substance and from symbol to truth. We, so to speak, have the finished article in our hands as we consider the times and processes we live in.

Jesus had to look forward and recognize in the ancient writings, the poetry and the pictures that described Him. His mind had to penetrate the veils of prophecy, the types, the symbols, the hidden meanings, and come through them with clarity and transparency. The conviction of the coming necessity of the cross was to become so much his that he could see the cross as the Father’s will. His obedience to the will of the Father so dominated his life that his whole concept of mission became predominately a plan to follow the Father’s will. The prevailing element of his teaching was to persuade his followers to realize this truth. He had to fully convince his disciples that what he was to do, or rather what was to be done to him, would have far greater power than anything he came to say.

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus