Matthew 26: 32
But after I have been raised from the dead...
Hebrews 12: 2
... But for the joy set before Him, He endured the Cross. ...
Jesus knew that the only way to win us back to Himself was to sacrifice Himself; to suffer a most gruesome and horrendously painful death; but more--to be actually separated from His Father while He "became sin for us." This anguish of soul is incomprehensible to me!
Yet through it all He was sustained and strengthened by that sure hope that He would be successful, accomplishing the purpose for which He was born, and be "raised from the dead." Even making a date with His disciples to meet with them, at a specific date and time and place. That's confidence.
That "joy set before Him" was the answer to His High Priestly Prayer, that we could be with Him where He is (John 17:24). He came down here to be with us where we are, now He wants us to be with Him where He lives. He knew that, as the Lamb of God He would wash away our sins completely with His Blood.
The blood of all the Old Testament sacrifices could not take away sins, only cover them (Hebrews 10:4). So they could be forgiven, but still could not go to Heaven, but to the Place of the Dead, Sheol. Jesus described this place as having two areas, a Paradise side and a fire side (in Luke 16:19-31, The Rich Man and Lazarus). He told the "good thief" being crucified beside Him that "today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). While His body was in the tomb He went down to this Paradise to gather all those there who had let their sacrifices take their place in death, to bring them to Heaven, as His Blood had now cleansed them (Colossians 2:15).
Jesus has now finished all the work of Salvation for us, available to every single person alive. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. We all deserve death, by just having been born in the line of Adam (John 3:18).
Having that sin-nature causes us to make the poor choices to do what is convenient, or what we don't think we'll get caught at; or just thinking that we can make our own decisions in life without considering God, leaving Him out of our lives.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9); that every person would realize that they deserve death, and turn around (repent) to recognize that Jesus died in their place. Then they will be cleansed and made suitable to be with Jesus in Heaven. That's the only way.
He's the only Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
