Scriptures record that He was tempted in all ways. We know that after John's baptism, Jesus went into the desert and faced temptation over which He had victory. But I suggest the greater temptation was to escape the punishment inflicted by the cross.
We know that Jesus anguished in the Garden just prior to the betrayal. Could it me that Jesus, being God, faced the reality of Jesus as a man about to endure the worst pain of his life.
In plain words, if it were you or I nailed to the cross, we would have been stuck there. There was nothing in our own power that could have caused the punishment to stop, and the Romans were good at their jobs, death was certain. If anything, death was welcomed to stop the punishment.
However, Jesus suffered pain that certainly was a constant temptation, for at any moment, He could have decided that you and I were not worth His suffering, called forth the angels to minister to Him and His suffering would have ended.
When I add that thought to everything else we know from scripture I really become humbled. "For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross!"
Any thoughts about that? Is that a new awareness for anyone? Does that work with scripture?
Sounds like a great meditation. Go with it.
Thank you for these thoughts, which go down deep.
I have a “problem son” who has intractable psychological/emotional problems, stemming initially I think from early childhood (orphanage) trauma. I pray for him so much, sometimes to the point of tears.
Yet I realize that he is “Property of Jesus,” he’s been entrusted to God, and that our Good Shepherd does not allow a suffering, straying sheep -— HIS sheep, a sheep that was entrusted to HIM -— to be lost forever.
“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross!”
That joy must include the well-being and redemption of my son. At some point -— who knows when? — he will be healed and made holy, and enter Heaven glorious because this would give Jesus joy. Seeing this in the future, and joyful, Jesus endured the cross.
Praise Him.
Interesting idea. I never thought of that. He knew He could end the suffering every moment of the scourging, beatings, crowning, walking, falling, nailing, hanging while trying to breathe, and dying. And He did it anyway.
Thank you for making me see this Gift in a new and deeper way.