Journey of Sacrifice

We know Jesus as our glorified Lord and Savior, but to get there was no easy task.

The journey was a journey of sacrifice, and took a path that nobody expected.

Such is God, He often takes us down the path least expected.

Scripture records this unexpected journey of Jesus - a journey of sacrifice, where most expected a conquering king.

That's exactly what they thought they were getting as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. 

But long before that day, the first step that Jesus had to take, was to come to us.

Jesus had to step down off of His throne in Heaven, and become a man.

Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2:5–8 NKJV

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus literally emptied Himself, and became a man.

He took on a dual nature, that of fully man, and fully God - all at the same time.

As we see in that passage, Jesus' obedience eventually lead Him to the point of death… something that most people never expected.

As Jesus entered into His public ministry and His identity became known, people expected that He would overthrow Rome, and establish His kingdom.

This is evident in the account of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

The people praised Him, expecting a different kind of deliverance.

From about two centuries earlier, the waving of palm branches had become a nationalistic symbol that signaled the fervent hope that a messianic liberator was arriving on the scene.

Hosanna is a Hebrew term that means save now.

These people wanted a military deliverance, and they wanted it now - and there were a lot of them.

Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, says that there were 2.7 million people in Jerusalem for the passover on that occasion.

Well…in the words of the Rolling Stones, “you can’t always get what you want.” With so many people expecting a certain thing, Jesus never caved to public opinion.

Instead, Jesus continued with God's plan.

The song goes on to say “you just might find you get what you need.”

Jesus may not have provided what the people wanted, but He did provide what they needed.

He still provides for our needs today, even if it’s not what we want. Our victory and deliverance will, come, but it often does not come in the way we expect. 

Instead of heading into Rome and taking the throne, which He could have easily done, Jesus went to Gethsemane.

He then went to Gethsemane.

John 18:1-3

John 18:1–3 NKJV

When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

The Kidron Valley is located east of Jerusalem, between the city wall and the Mount of Olives; and the Garden of Gethsemane is on the western slope of Olivet.

Jesus often went to this Garden with His disciples, no doubt to rest, meditate, and pray.

He knew that Judas would come for Him there, and He was ready.

The first Adam disobeyed God and was cast out of the Garden, but the Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45) was obedient to God, as He went into the Garden of Gethsemane.

Eden was the garden of disobedience and sin, and Gethsemane was the garden of obedience and submission.

From there, His journey took Him to a place of trial…Gabbatha.

John 19:13

John 19:13 NKJV

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

Gabbatha simply means an elevated platform, and He didn’t stay there long; the mockery of a trial was soon over, and Pilate delivered Him to be crucified.

Obedience will certainly lead us to a place of trial.

However long that trial may seem to last, in the grand scheme of things, we won’t be there long.

The result of Jesus' trial, lead His journey to the place of Sacrifice…Golgotha

John 19:16-17

John 19:16–17 NKJV

Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,

He was betrayed in a place called Gethsemane, condemned in a place called Gabbatha, and crucified in a place called Golgotha, but that wasn’t all, he still had to be laid in a tomb.

The sacrifice lead Him to His tomb.

John 19:41-42

John 19:41–42 NKJV

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

This took His journey to the place of victory!

This tomb was the place from which He arose, and our salvation was secured forever!

We all start out in sin, but Jesus' sacrifice enabled, for us, a path to faithful obedience.

Just as in Jesus’ life, the path of obedience will lead us to the place of trial, which will ultimately lead us to a place of sacrifice, as we realize that our service isn’t always easy.

This journey of sacrifice that Jesus made, ultimately ended in His glory. 

Jesus has promised that the journey of the faithful will also lead to glory.

John 14:2-3

John 14:2–3 NKJV

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Because He went to a place called calvary, we can be with Him in a place called heaven.

These people wanted a conquering king, who would overthrow Rome.

What they got was a savior who overthrew their sins. Oh how God blesses in unexpected ways.

He could have given them a temporary solution, but instead He provided a permanent one!