What Was Jesus Thinking?

                         The sun descends in glorious colors.
           The clouds reflect the sunlight adding beauty to the scene.
                            We become incredibly beautiful
                        when we reflect the majesty of God.
                            Jesus death and resurrection
                           opened the door to enable us
                to reflect that incredible beauty for all eternity.

What was Jesus thinking when He rode the donkey into Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna to the son of David, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven.” (Matthew 21:9) knowing that a few days later the same people would shout “Crucify him” when given the choice of freeing innocent Jesus or a criminal? Was His heart heavy?

What was Jesus thinking when He taught His followers those last parables, those final lessons? (see Matthew 21:18 through Matthew 25)
Was He trying to make sure He had covered all the important points, so He could leave knowing He had prepared His followers for the enormous job ahead of them? Was He anxious? No. He knew how well they would spread His word and His Love?

What was Jesus thinking when He went to that Last Supper with His disciples? Did His heart ache knowing that both Peter and Judas would betray Him? Knowing that almost all His disciples who had pledged undying loyalty would run off leaving Him to suffer and die in unspeakable agony?

Did He also rejoice knowing that His words “This is my body and this is my blood” spoken over the bread and wine would be said by millions of followers for thousands of years as they, as we celebrate Jesus precious gift for us?

How did Jesus possibly manage going to Gethsemane? He knew His followers could not follow where He had to go. He said to His Father “Your will, not mine be done” knowing the agony that was to start shortly and last for many torturous hours. (Matthew 26:36-45)

What was Jesus thinking when His betrayer greeted Him with a kiss to identify Him for those who came to take Jesus to His horrible death? He knew ahead of time what was about to happen. Could I, could you have gone through it all? He was innocent, I am not. He knew He could call on God and His angels at any time to stop His death. He chose to continue knowing all those who would deny Him, refuse His love, sinning repeatedly. I could never have done what Jesus did. Imagine His love for us!

What was Jesus thinking when the soldiers pounded nails into His wrists and feet to nail Him to the cross after beating Him so badly that the skin was ripped off His back and His bones were showing, bleeding, His lifeblood oozing out onto the ground. The blood had dripped into His eyes from the crown of thorns forced on His head. He was beaten and bloody from head to toe. This was God in the person of His precious son who chose to accept this death, the punishment that we deserve for our sins. What did He say? Did He condemn? He said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

What was Jesus thinking as He died? Why did He do this? His actions say to each of us “I love you more than this life itself. I love you so much that I willingly accept the punishment that you deserve. I want you to spend eternity with me in paradise. Will you take my hand and follow Me? 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
 Matthew 11:28-30

What was Jesus thinking when He did all this? He was thinking how much He loves you and me and wants us with Him for eternity in Paradise. 

Will you accept?

Blessing:
Be blessed my friend, knowing that we do not have to pay for our sins, that Jesus did that for us - if we only accept.

All photos taken by Debbie unless otherwise noted.

All bible reference from the NIV
     unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested,
    you can click on the Blog Archive
    dates on the top right side of this post
    to connect to previous blog posts.

I would love to hear from you either 

    on the comment section of this blog post
    or through my email.
    debbieamcewen@gmail.com
I post every other Saturday.

The next post will be

on April 7, 2018.

                                      Spring is bringing new life.
                                     Jesus' death and resurrection
                                  bring us new life, everlasting life.
                                  Will you accept His incredible gift?
                                Photo taken at West Stockholm, NY.

Truly Great Treasure

           In this life you will have to choose what is your heart's desire.
                   You will have to choose what is most important to you.
                   Only one desire can occupy the top place in your heart.
                                       What will you choose?

The more I learn about God, the more treasures I find.  

I’m like the archaeologist who finds an old coin and digs further to seek a greater prize.  As he continues to dig, he hopes to discover a great find.  

As I study God's word, I always discover great treasure.  

The greater my effort, the closer to God I become. When I listen closely, I hear His voice.  

As my relationship with God becomes closer, my happiness grows and my peace increases.  

When we surrender to God, He puts His mighty armor around us to protect us.  

Hardships still occur but they do not devastate to the degree that they did before, because God is in our core giving us His peace.  

He is always on our side, always guiding and loving us. 

This is truly great treasure.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Matthew 13:44

              Spring is hidden under all the snow we recently received.
Today is the first day that is not gray so I could get a picture of the snow covering.  It was beautiful in that it made all the earth clean and white.

Commentary:
I apologize for the lateness of this blog.
It's lateness is due to my bout with the flu.
I pray this flu missed all of you.
I was able to stay inside for the most part and did enjoy seeing the snow cover on the trees and brush, on the ground.
It's almost like a do over, a fresh start with Spring tagging closely behind it.
My flu gave me an opportunity to appreciate how good it feels when sickness leaves and I feel good again.
I've found that I never feel as well as I do after I've been sick and gotten well.
We will appreciate the good weather even more after the storm.
Is God telling us that we need to appreciate Him and all He does when He allows us to have hardships and then bring us through those hardships?
I hope to learn that lesson without having to live through many more hardships.

Blessings on you my friend and may all the winter woes escape you and yours.

All photos taken by Debbie unless otherwise noted.

All bible reference from the NIV
     unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested,
    you can click on the Blog Archive
    dates on the top right side of this post
    to connect to previous blog posts.

I would love to hear from you either 

    on the comment section of this blog post
    or through my email.
    debbieamcewen@gmail.com
I post every other Saturday.

The next post will be

on March 24, 2018.

               I'll end with one of God's beautiful sunsets.

                 It seems to be echoing God's words

         Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.

            This is my treasure.  I share it with you, friend.