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John 10:18 - The Necessity of the Cross.

John 10:18 (NLT) No one can take my life 
from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have 
the authority to lay it down when I want to and 
also to take it up again. For this is what my 
Father has commanded.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Sometimes we hear assertions that certain 
people were responsible for the crucifixion of 
Jesus, most specifically the Jews. However, anyone 
who claims the Bible teaches this or blames the 
Jews for the crucifixion is twisting Scripture. 
   Granted, the Jewish leaders and Roman 
officials who carried out Jesus crucifixion bear 
guilt for the sin of what they did. But God the 
Father foreordained how and when His Son would 
die. 
   When Jesus talked with Nicodemus, a 
Pharisee, He said, And as Moses lifted up the 
bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the 
Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone 
who believes in him will have eternal life 
(John 3:14-15 NLT). 
   And Mark 8:31 says, Then Jesus began 
to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer 
many terrible things and be rejected by the 
elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of 
religious law. He would be killed, but three days 
later he would rise from the dead (NLT). 
   Notice that in both instances, Jesus used 
the word must. This speaks of necessity. 
Jesus had to die on the cross. But was He 
predicting that He would be a victim of circumstances 
and crucified as a result? 
   No, He wasnt. Jesus was talking about 
the plan and purpose of God the Father. It 
wasnt an accident or a mistake. Nor was it a 
surprise. Clearly Jesus knew what was coming. 
   He said, No one can take my life from 
me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the 
authority to lay it down when I want to and also to 
take it up again. For this is what my Father has 
commanded (John 10:18 NLT). 
   Jesus was in complete control when He 
went to the cross. His death was an act of 
submissive obedience to His Fathers will. [Greg 
Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 

John 3:16 - LOVE SUPREME!

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211206-0816.html 

TEXTS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

John 2:19 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to 
them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I 
will raise it up." 

John 10:17 (NKJV) Therefore My Father loves 
Me, because I lay down My life that I may take 
it again. 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/