Born to Die

Death, for most of us, will be a surprise. The moment it arrives will leave us in shock and wonder, and hopefully, peace. Some of us, however, will know in advance that death is coming. Through sickness or injury we will know our time is drawing near. But, like I said, most of us will not receive death's warning.

But Jesus knew. His task was set before Him on the day creation was breathed into being. He knew before the stars were placed, before the waters were stirred, before man's footfall fell in the garden.

He knew before He left the womb. Before He could speak or hold a cup. He knew before He spoke with the teachers in the temple, before He grew in stature and wisdom and in favor with God and man.

Jesus knew before He met John in the water, before He foretold that Peter would be a fisher of men. He knew before He was tempted by the Evil One.

He knew before He healed legs and eyes and hearts. He knew before the water became wine. Before the mustard seed, and the 5,000, and the little children. Before the Good Samaritan and the 10 lepers and the rebuke of the wind and the waves.

Before He wept salty tears and sweated beads of blood in the garden.

Jesus knew.

He knew He was born to die.

He heard death calling and taunting him. He felt in full force its icy breath and dark whispers. No one has beaten me yet, Son of Man.

He rode into Jerusalem that day. Lowly, seated on a donkey. And while they shouted Hosanna and threw their coats onto the ground, His heart full of love for them, knowledge was His constant companion.

The palm branches waving their song: Son of Man, you were born to die.

And on He rode to His calling, His appointment, His purpose.

The day He was born, death waited eagerly to take Him. The day He arrived in Jerusalem death was moments away from claiming the ultimate victory.

Oh, but Death. Did you not know?

Victory belongs to God.

Listen closely before you claim your prize: Now this I know - The LORD gives victory to His anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand. 

O Death, where is your victory? Where is your sting?

You see, the One you thought to conquer will conquer you. He will swallow you up along with the portal of the grave.

Our King, the lowly one riding on the donkey? The Son of Man?

He has defeated you.

Jesus was born to die, yes.

But Jesus was also born to conquer.

Jesus was born to be victorious.

On the day He rode into Jerusalem His death march began - but so did His victory parade.

Praise be to my God. Praise be to Him who lowered Himself to human form and all the humiliation and pain and sorrow that accompanied it. Praise be to Him who suffered the beatings, ridicule, and torture for the joy that was set before Him.

He was born to die.

I was born to die for you, beloved.

He was born to conquer.

I was born to conquer for you, beloved.

Hosanna, Lord Jesus! I will lay down my palm branches, I will lay down my garments, I will lay down my heart.

You were born to die. You were born to buy eternal life for me.