Every day we’re faced with choices. When you think about it, most things we do are based on our choices, but we often fail to look ahead to the consequences. If Jesus, the man, had a choice in the matter of our redemption, do you think He would’ve proceeded in the same way that he did? In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed to His heavenly Father to release Him from the task at hand. His conversation with God led Him to the choice of going through torture, pain and suffering. He would face a criminal court and be condemned to a painful execution. He would be mocked, shamed, bullied and forced to carry His own cross. By giving up His life, He would submit to God’s will and save the world from eternal death.

On this silent Saturday, I think about things like this. What if? If Jesus was just a man, the choice would be obvious. He’d run away and hide. He’d fear for His life. He’d do anything to reverse the entire process. What if He only thought about Himself? He certainly could have done a miracle and avoided the whole kangaroo court. Barabbas would have died instead of Him. If His human side were to take over, He would never have gone to the cross. Why would He put Himself through that. We would then still be under the curse of death for our bad choices.

We as human beings make lots of choices in our lifetime. Most of them are designed to make a change – to set a goal – to have a child – to pull the plug – but all of these choices will have an effect on us personally. Our choices – good or bad – will always have consequences – good or bad. Choice: We choose to be successful. Consequence: We fail or succeed. Choice: We choose to undergo surgery to lengthen our lives. Consequence: We live for another ten years, or we die on the operating table. Choice: We choose to have sex before marriage. Consequence: We become pregnant or scarred for life with guilt. Many times, the consequences will lead to a whole list of other consequences.

Thank God today, that His Son didn’t turn His back on us and walk away. His mission was to sacrifice His own life for the benefit of all of humanity. Jesus is also God, so He could’ve chosen a different path, but He didn’t. The ultimate sacrifice was to lay down His own life for others. Jesus is our role model. He lived for us, not Himself. He served others, not Himself. He taught the masses, fed thousands and healed many, but He struggled, was tempted, tortured and endured all of it because of us, not Himself.

I think one of the hardest things for us to do as human beings is to place others ahead of ourselves. As far back as the beginning of time, mankind has made choices – not for God, but for themselves. Even then, God promised His creation that He would bring about a perfect solution to that problem as well as all the others we face. All we have to do is be like Jesus.

DEAR HOLY, SON OF GOD, JESUS – You came to earth to live among us. You didn’t have to make that choice. You didn’t have to lose your life because of others, but you did. Because you lived and died, we know you were true flesh and blood, but you are also Omnipotent, Ominpresent and Omiscient. You rose from death and defeated Satan. You are the One true God, and you love us so much that you gave your life for us. Thank you for making that choice. Amen