After the movie, The Passion of The Christ was released, mistakenly, an antisemitism notion was evoked, but the Holy Bible teaches us that Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God into wicked hands that took, crucified and slew him (Acts 2:23). Thus the crucifixion of Jesus was a calculated choice of God and not a mere tragedy orchestrated by men.
The choices Jesus had was either to “Die so man will live forever with God.” or “Live and man will die forever, separated from God.” Jesus chose to die so that man can live, and he expressed this, when he said, “I lay down my life on my own free will and no man takes it from me.” (John 10:18).
Points to ponder:
What is your response to this God who willingly gave his life for you? Out of his own free will, Jesus gave his life for you. Out of our own free will, are we willing to die to self and sin, so that we may live forever with God? Whoever gives up his life for Jesus’ sake will save it, but whoever tries to hang on to their life will lose it. (Matthew 16:25). If to die for man is God’s calculated choice, then to live for God should be our calculated choice. Is it?
Acts 2:22-24 (KJV)
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
John 10:18 (KJV)
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Matthew 16:25 (NLT)
25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
