Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)
Have you ever thought about the impact of a choice?
What might have happened if the ten spies sent to explore the Promised Land came back with a GOOD report for the Israelites? (Numbers 13-14)
What might have happened if Esther had refused to intervene for the Jews with her powerful husband the king? (Esther 5)
What might have happened if Mary had said “no” to the angel’s announcement that she—an unmarried teenage girl—would become pregnant with the Messiah?
What might have happened if, in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of his arrest, Jesus had told the Father he couldn’t go through with what was being asked of him?
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:36-39 NIV)
Jesus knew he was consecrated for a purpose. We often talk about what Jesus did for us on the Cross, but before the suffering and crucifixion was a choice.
In the Garden he was praying, asking God to take the cup of suffering from him. He kept asking for that, but always saying, “Yet, not what I want, but what you want, Father.” He had to choose to lay down his own life in order to go ahead with the Father’s purposes for his life.
He chose to lay down his life so that you and I can have eternal life.
Jesus chose to say “yes” to the Father’s plans.
What are the choices we make between blessings and curses, between hope and despair, between God and not-God? What are the choices we will have to make today?
Holy Spirit,
Thank you for the example of Jesus in choosing the Father’s will. Today as we face choices small and large, help us to realize the ways in which our choices have consequences, bringing life or death, blessings or curses. In each and every instance, help us to make the choices that line up with your purposes, your righteousness, and your Kingdom. We ask this in Jesus’s name, AMEN.