Did Jesus Want to go to the Cross?

It was Jesus' job to go to the cross, right? So does it follow that He wanted to do it? No. Take a look at Matthew 26:38 "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death..." Then later: :39 "He fell on His face and prayed saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."

I don't think Jesus wanted to go to the cross in the sense that it was just something to do. Remember, Jesus was perfect. He had never sinned and didn't have a sin nature. His standing before the Father was pure and perfect. Sin had never touched Him in fact He healed sinners.

But on the cross the full force of the Father's wrath would be poured out on Him. He would suffer all the wrath that should have come our way. You could never endure just your wrath. But imagine enduring the wrath of God for every sin committed by every human throughout history. No wonder Jesus was sorrowful. No wonder He asked the Father that if there was any other way to save man other than the cross to do it.

There was no other way. No, Jesus didn't want to go to the cross but He did. Why? Because He loved you so much. It was love that drove Him there. It was love that kept Him there. It was love for you that allowed Him to give everything so you could have everything. He thought about you on that cross. He wanted to be with you for all of eternity so badly that it was worth it.

That's why the author of Hebrews could write: "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame." Isn't He wonderful?

Pastor Tom