Lord, as I read this morning I see that my Lord Jesus studied and memorized every prophecy about himself to prepare for his greatest calling. He wanted to be sure that no matter how hard it would be, he would fulfill the Father’s word and will as he offered himself for the sins of the world.

One by one, as your Spirit revealed them, Jesus committed to memory every detail predicted for his torture. He didn’t shrink away from the horror, the unfair treatment, the betrayal. He made it his focus to know, embrace, and do his part to fulfill all that would happen to bring His Father and the Father’s beloved children together. He came to his time of sacrifice committed to the fulfillment of a terrible list. Not a list the Father created, but allowed, foresaw and revealed according to how men would treat His Son.

Knowing he was as human as I am, I am stunned at the thought of this. In his humanity, Jesus had free will, a choice of how to respond to every awful revelation. He went beyond acceptance and surrender to commitment, a commitment born of love and trust and honor and faith in the Father’s heart.

I think now of how you have a plan for my life, a design, a work, a participation how you want to express yourself to my world. Surely it will be easier than anything Jesus suffered!

Father, may I so love you that I, like my brother Jesus, live focused on what matters most. I want your plan for my life to be established in my heart, for my heart to say, “Yes! Amen! It will be done!”

Let every unimportant thing fall away. May my soul not be crowded with unnecessary things or captivated by good things of this life. Grant me the grace to discern every clue, recognize every message, receive and understand all the ways you are revealing your will for me as we walk together in this world.

Lord, give me a heart to treasure all you reveal, to make it my focus and commitment. Give me the grace and passion to do my part in the fulfillment of your design for my life. I trust that doing so will bring abundant life for myself and those who share life together with me, and most of all, reveal your glory. So be it, Amen to your will, in Jesus’ name.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

John 19:28-30, NASB Strongs