It’s my 34th birthday and all throughout year 33 I often thought about how this is the age Jesus died. I would think about how scriptures says that our days are numbered. Although, God has an appointed time for everyone, most of us hope that we will get the chance to live a long and full life here on earth before the Lord takes us home to be with Him, but that’s not always the case and It wasn’t the case for Jesus.
Jesus was fully human, so I can’t help but think that in his humanity he might have had thoughts like, “I know that I’m the Son of God and according to scripture, I will have to die for everyone’s sins to save them, but I hope that it will be when I’m older so I can live a long life here on earth.”
Maybe He thought about how much He loves his family and his disciples, and He thought He would have more time with them.
Maybe He thought He’d have a longer ministry here on earth.
When God revels to Him that he would only have a ministry of three years, I image this in my head as he talks to the Father, “Only three years, Abba? Nevertheless, your will be done.”
As far as I know, no where in scripture does it give his age of when he would have to be crucified. It just says it will happen and it has to happen (At least as far as I know, please correct me if I’m wrong).
But knowing what I do know, I can’t image being so young and having such a task! Take on the sins of the world!!? And not just death, but dying in one of the worst possible ways!
We know that he was in absolute agony. He said if there is any other way please take this cup from me. (Luke22:44) But there was no other way. He came to earth to do the Father’s will and he did it. (John6:38) God demonstrated his love in this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
We are born to want to live and fight for our lives. But Jesus so beautifully gave up His life for us.
He didn’t fight it.
He didn’t resist it.
He didn’t run from it.
Instead, He said a prayer and He endured it.
By Gods grace He gave His life up for us so graciously because He knew this was Gods will and this was His purpose.
God’s ways are higher, and even though He did die early, I know He did live not just a full life, but an abundant life; because He had the spirit of God in Him. And we can have a full and abundant life as long as we abide in Him and He abides in us.
It is not the world that defines what a full life is by your age, accomplishments, adventures or experiences; it’s Jesus, because He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
Just like Jesus, we too can have the food of the Father that the world does not know of. (John 4:32) And Lord willing, we can have that for longer than 33 years AND live eternally with Him.
Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Acts 17:26
From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2
Luke 22:37
For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”
