"Surely you know I could ask my Father, and he would give me more than twelve armies of angels." (Matthew 26:53)
The fact that Jesus could have done something but did nothing to save himself from suffering and death took on a whole different meaning for me this past week.
While working through the verses in Mark 6, a textual flashback into the death of John the Baptist, I had one of those moments that got me to thinking.
Jesus could have rescued John. Certainly Jesus could have called more than twelve armies of angels to rescue his cousin? Yet we know that Jesus did nothing to save John from suffering and death.
I understand the "why" from an eternal perspective. It’s the immediate perspective that challenges my thinking. We all want to be the exception to the rescue / deliver rule. We see Jesus choosing to save, choosing to deliver different people and we want to tip the scale in our favor when our time of suffering (or death) is near.
It means more to me knowing that Jesus did nothing to save himself when he did nothing to save the one who prepared the way.
6 Responses to “He Did Nothing”
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March 26th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Every movement needs a martyr and a messenger.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:10 am
These are the verses that really force me to question the whole "name it and claim it / wealth and health" preachers (not to mention their smiles and hairstyles). People pick and choose the verses they think guarantee God’s positive response to their prayers and have total confidence God will heal. I’ve been in ministry 30 years and have seen that result very few times. More often, the illness takes its toll. More than not, the person praying to live dies. Jesus did not spare John the suffering. God did not spare Jesus the suffering (though we can argue that one from a salvific point of view). So why do we think we are going to automatically be spared? But we still pray and hope!!
March 26th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Very true. True also what Greg said. (I feel like the Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof.) John the Immerser is very much an announcer of the Gospel, not only in word, but in life. He died, just as his cousin and Savior would. But his resurrection was just a rumor. And it was met with unbelief. Jesus’ resurrection was more than a rumor, but was still met with unbelief.
March 26th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I know it happened just that way………….both with John and with Jesus. But I don’t understand it. And even with Mary and Martha’s brother, whom Jesus knew He was going to raise, He still suffered the death. I have known of instances where I believe prayer has changed a situation and my prayers were answered the way I asked for someone’s health……..Doris’, for instance. I thank God for sparing her life. But one day she, as will I and everyone else, will die. God extended Hezekiah’s life by 15 years. He can, and He does, do this. But just as Greg said, we will not escape death. Jesus didn’t, and we won’t, unless He returns to earth first. I still struggle with the fact that Jesus had to die at all to save us…………….just seems like there ought to have been another way. I know He did it…………I know He did it out of love and sacrifice and obedience. I just don’t understand why it had to be that way…………….but then, I don’t have to understand, do I?
One of the things that has impressed me lately in a big way about Jesus’ death is the intense anguish, pain, suffering, and utter rejection He went to the cross and the aloneness He felt when He cried out on the cross. In this life, little hurts quiet as much, in my opinion, like the rejection of someone we love. But not only was Jesus rejected by those He came to save, He was forsaken by those closest to Him, all the while enduring physical pain indescribable, and then the anguish of questioning why His God had forsaken Him, as well.
No wonder they call Him the Savior!
March 27th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Thought provoking. Did Jesus’ disciples have a prayer vigil for John’s release like the church prayed all night for Peter’s release? (Certainly they were aware of his imprisonment and had concerns about it.) And if they prayed, did Jesus pray with them for his release (knowing it was not the Father’s will to release him)? Or did Jesus tell them not to bother? Thanks for adding to my confusion :-).
March 27th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Ok, now you’ve forced me to register, log in, and comment. thnks!
Suffering and death, really aren’t they two different things? And really in the suffering aren’t there more than one issue? Coming from another perspective, Jn 11:4 and Jn 9:3 remind us of God’s perspecive relative to things we consider as bad, evil. But then Jesus’ death falls into another process -sacrifice. A necessary condition is death which adds excellence to the voluntary nature of Christ’s actions and submition.
Recently I watched a dvd portraying God’s perspective when we are stuggling, dependant on Him. How intimate and satisfying it is for us to be in that place of reliance. For us tragity, for God intamacy. Not that I’m ready to ask for any suffering, but with that in mind Pauls words are much clearer in Phil. 4.
Heb. 5:7 "During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cried and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him……"
just a thought! <’ )))><