Luke 22:42 He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
“’What-if’ Jesus chose not to die on the cross?”
The greatest temptation of Jesus was not in the wilderness when He faced the devil. His greatest temptation was in the Garden of Gethsemane when He surrendered Himself to the ghastly death on the cross. “The death of Jesus was not a historical accident.” His visitation, death and resurrection were strategic divine occurrences that were prophesied for over 4,000 years. ‘According to the Scriptures’ (1 Corinthians 15:3). The Roman tyranny had no authority over Jesus. A detachment of soldiers and officers from the Chief Priest came to arrest Jesus but when Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground (Luke 18:6). There was such power emanating from Jesus that they could not even come near Him. No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! (John 10:18). What-if Jesus chose not to walk the road of Calvary? What-if He had refused the cross?
If Jesus had not died to set us free from sin and slavery, we would be like circus elephants that are conditioned to believe that the rope it is tied to is its boundary. A baby elephant is tied to a rope and every time it tries to wander away from the circus tent, the rope pulls it back. The enslaved elephant is tamed to become like a dog and is hence oblivious to its hidden potential and strength. Likewise, humanity would have remained under the bondage of demonic suppression. The original image of God in man was distorted by sin. The cross and the blood of Jesus brought salvation, redemption, and restoration. Salvation, redemption, and restoration are like snapping the rope of the elephant, discovering the hidden potential (strength) and setting it free into liberty. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus, there would be no freedom from sin, slavery or sickness.
What-if Jesus did not die and resurrect:
- Harass: Before the New Testament there is no record of any prophets driving out demons. There was no exorcism before Jesus. Jesus gave us the authority to drive out demons (Mark 3:15). The authority over demons is given to all the saints whose sins have been forgiven and are redeemed by the blood of Jesus. If Jesus had not died, we would still be under the harassment of the demonic forces.
- Heritage: Through the cross Jesus has enabled you to share in the royal heritage (Colossians 1:12). We are not slaves or servants but sons and daughters of the King of Kings.
- Home: Jesus paved the way for us to inherit our permanent home in heaven (John 14:3). The Old Testament saints had no access to heaven. When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8&9).
The death and resurrection of Jesus overturned all the dubious ‘what-ifs’ into promising triumphs.
Romans 6:10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you for your precious blood that was shed on the cross that has set me free from the bondage of demonic control of sin, curse and sickness. Amen.
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