Born to Die

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46 (NIV)

When you hold a precious little bundle of joy in your arms for the first time many thoughts run through your mind. Will you be a good parent? What will this child grow up to be? What are God plans for my child? The list goes on. The last thing on your mind is your child being born to die.

I can only wonder when Mary held Jesus in her arms for the first time if she knew He would give His life for a fallen world. That His purpose was to die. Would she try to influence Jesus, change His mind or protect Him?
We know that Mary was obedient to carry Jesus in her womb for nine months. Yet we may know little about how He was raised. God's laws and traditions dictated Joseph and Mary's parenting. Whatever plans they had for Jesus were overridden by God the Father.

Jesus was born to die for a world lost in sin and hopelessness. From the first second of conception to His last minutes on the cross, Jesus' purpose was fulfilled when He returned to the waiting arms of His true father.

Thank you, God, for the gift of Your Son. As your child help me to fulfill Your purpose in my life just as Jesus fulfilled His.© 2011 Dawn M Sexton