19 Apr All Because He Knew

It was a crazy idea.

But I KNEW if I could get there, everything would be taken care of.

I had been there. I built my relationship with the Lord there. I met friends there. Now the tricky part was getting there.

Let me back up.

It was the summer of 2006 and at the last minute, a spot had opened up for Young Life’s family camp at Trail West.

I had four children under the age of seven, and I was seriously considering making a ten-day journey across the United States with these goofballs … at the last minute. Three days time to be exact. Just imagine a long, three-leg “break-of-dawn” flight, rental cars, flying in and out of two different cities, taxis that were too small to carry five people plus a stroller and car seat, hotel rooms, stops at Walmart in Denver to get diapers, baby food, and snacks, a baby who had JUST turned one, and a husband who was on a golf trip in Canada with his Dad and brothers.

Yes. You heard me. Curry was NOT there. If I made the decision to make this journey, I would be doing it alone.

But I KNEW Trail West. It was the very place I did my Young Life training. In my mind, Trail West equaled joy, friendships, laughter, worship, relationships, real conversations, vulnerability, service, love, and Jesus. Lots of Jesus.

If I could only get there, I KNEW it would be the best week for me and my children to escape the heat of Florida and experience GOD in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

So I did it.

I can’t say that it was easy. (Oh my gosh, I am so thankful for pictures!) But once I got there, it was just as I had imagined. And more.

Today is Good Friday, and Jesus is making His way to the cross. This crazy “Out-West” memory came to mind this morning as I read these words from Tim Keller’s study, A Journey Through Lent – Reflecting on Christ’s Sacrifice for Us. Here’s what he says:

“Jesus was able to serve in a way that no one expected because He KNEW the Father’s love intimately. The same heart that led Him to wash the disciples’ feet would lead Him to the cross.”

JESUS KNEW THE FATHER’S LOVE INTIMATELY.

He KNEW.

He knew the path laid out for Him.
He knew that in order to restore our relationship with the Father, He would have to come to earth in bodily form to live and to die for our brokenness.
He knew He would have to suffer.
He knew His blood would be shed for our redemption. Our forgiveness of sin. Our salvation. Our future in heaven, forever.
He knew the pain He was about to endure. 
Yet, he went anyway.

Why?

He KNEW the Father’s love intimately.
And because He knew, He would “serve in a way no one expected” until we could experience this same love.

It didn’t take a three-leg flight with a car seat and a stroller; it took three days of sacrifice, complete surrender, mock trials, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. 

He did this so we could be free from sin and go back with Him to heaven one day— a place where the Father’s LOVE equals perfect joy, friendship, laughter, worship, relationship, real conversation, vulnerability, service, love, and Jesus. Lots of Jesus.

Jesus KNEW the love of the Father intimately.

Do we?

Jesus asked the disciples in Matthew 16:13-17, “Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

Who do you say Jesus is?

Do you believe that he is just a good man? A good teacher? Or do you believe that He IS the Son of the living God?

Scripture tells us that when you believe, you become a child of God.

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:16

When you confess with your lips and believe Jesus is the Son of the living God with your heart, you are saved, forgiven, and have eternal life. 

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord, “and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Jesus KNEW.

Because God LOVES us, He gave us Jesus so that we might KNOW, too.

Because Jesus KNEW, He wouldn’t let crucifixion get in the way for us to have access to the same love, eternally.

Life certainly isn’t easy. Jesus knows this all too well. And even when we think we are alone with four kids traveling across the United States on a crazy last minute vacation, He is with us. Always. 

Keep your eyes on the cross this Easter. Declare Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

He KNOWS the way because He KNOWS the LOVE of the Father.

The same love that led Him to wash the disciples’ feet would lead Him to the cross.

All because He knew.