When we haven’t allowed God to reconcile our history with our identity, we don’t move forward in our destiny; instead, we fantasize about another destiny, a false destiny. We create alternate versions of ourselves that made different decisions, walked a different path, didn’t receive wounds, stood up for themselves, and grew up under different circumstances.

These versions of ourselves created by regret are stronger, more successful, liked by everyone, farther along than we are now, competent, courageous, skilled, etc…the list goes on. The problem is, that person doesn’t exist.

At the foot of the cross, we meet the King who is the servant of all. On the cross, we see the Father, who was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. There Jesus, through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without blemish to God.

All three Persons of the Trinity present on the Hill outside of Jerusalem that Friday, accomplishing the work that would redeem, reconcile, and recreate the cosmos. More happened in that six hours on Golgotha then we will be able to comprehend for billions of years.

An explosion happened in the heart of Jesus as it became a groan of intercession. The same desire that brought creation into existence was about to bring a new creation out of His own body. These last words in prayer, before His betrayal in the garden, reveal the motivation of His heart in everything that will transpire over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Jesus has done the unthinkable. He asked the Father to give the redeemed of the human race the highest pleasure possible, to behold the unparalleled splendor of God in the face of Jesus and to feel the same love that the Father has for His Son…

I am afraid that so many believers have been lured into performing their righteous for others to see. They are looking to prove their devotion by spiritual acts, performing their Christianity for the respect and admiration of others.

The gospel is not primarily about behavioral modification. The gospel is about a new creation, producing a heart transformation that overflows into good works. Let the Holy Spirit come and clean the inside of the cup and change you from the inside out. There is so much grace.

Jesus dealt with the outer courts violently because it was violently opposing all that He came to accomplish. He dealt violently with the outer courts on Monday and violently with the inner courts on Friday, tearing the veil to the Holy of Holies from top to bottom.

In turning over the tables and rending the veil in the temple, Jesus was overturning one priesthood and program of worship and inaugurating a new priesthood that would spread across the whole earth until incense would arise in every place and every nation would see and sing of His worth.

The crowds lifted their voice in jubilation as Jesus rode through the city gate, welcoming the One who they hoped would redeem Israel from all her troubles. Five days later they would be shouting “crucify Him!”. He came in a way they didn’t expect. He didn’t do what they wanted Him to do.

Have you ever worshipped Him passionately one day, only to accuse Him of inaction the next day? Oh how our unmet expectations pollute our worship! Jesus, give us eyes to see that you are working for our good even when the answers don’t come in the way we expect.