50.Pre – Devotion
If you’ve ever gone on a long trip, you know that you must get ready before you can leave. You have to pack, tell your friends good-bye, and maybe find someone to walk your dog and water your plants while you’re gone. It’s a lot of work, but while you’re getting ready, you get to imagine all the fun that you will have on your trip.
Jesus was about to take a trip to Jerusalem, and He knew exactly what would happen during this trip. He wouldn’t be riding on roller coasters or building sand castles on the beach. He would be betrayed by His own friend, suffer, and die on a cross for sins that He didn’t commit.
Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to Him, but He didn’t try to stop it from happening. He told His disciples what was going to happen, and He let Mary anoint Him for His death. He could have run away or used His power to keep Himself safe, but instead He prepared for this trip that would lead to His death.
Why would He do this? Because He loves us! He knew that we are sinful and we would not be able to live because of our sin. He chose to take the punishment for all our sins, a punishment that He did not deserve, in our place. He suffered, died, and rose again so that we could live with Him forever. What an amazing sacrifice that Jesus chose to make for us!
- What does punishment feel like? What does it feel like to know that Jesus chose to take your punishment for you?
- What does the word mercy mean? How does Jesus show mercy as He prepares for His trip to Jerusalem?
- Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, you know that you are going to heaven. What can you do to prepare for your trip to heaven?
Let’s pray:
Dear Jesus, You could have stopped it from happening, but instead You chose to suffer and die on the cross in our place. We praise You for Your amazing sacrifice! Thank You for paying for our sins and giving us eternal life. In Your name we pray. Amen.