For the Pleasure of His Father

Jesus did not need an accountability group. He did not need to be reminded that his sole desire was for the will of His Father, and His Father's will was for Him to go to the cross. Jesus did not need to sign a commitment letter. He did not need to swear an oath under penalty of purgery. His Father's heart ached for the lost world. His own would not receive Him until their penalty was paid and the doors of heaven were flung open to them. It was the will of the Lord to crush the Christ, and the penalty that brought us peace was willingly taken up. His yes was yes.

What a terrible wonder, the love of Christ, who fastened Himself to the cross, and then looked to His Father for approval. He received none. Only the lonesome echo of a prayer of dying God-Man. "Eli...Eli...Lamasabasthani...?" Then looking down on the men whom He knitted together in the womb, he remembered what he was doing. Loving us. Giving Himself up for us. He was a fragrant offering, Holy and acceptable to the Lord.