“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53

There is a significant difference between doing something by submission of our free will, opposed to being forced into doing it. When we are coerced or forced, we may comply, but our hearts and souls are not in it; on the other hand, when we complete a task willingly, it is conducted in wholehearted submission and love. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ died on that old rugged cross, one Friday afternoon, willingly for the redemption of our sins…that’s love!

Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. The bible state in John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” He gave up His glory in heaven to come here and be fully human, to die for us! “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 4:7-8. In obedience, He chose to give His life that we may live forever.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, when the mob came to arrest Jesus, Peter cut off the ear of a soldier, and miraculously, Jesus restored it. Peter was ready to fight and save Jesus…but Jesus came to save not only Peter but us all. In Matthew 26:53 Jesus said to Peter “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53. A Roman legion consisted of 6,000 soldiers, Jesus was saying to Peter, if I asked of the Father, He could have sent down over 72,000 angels to rescue me from this mob!

I can imagine Peter was baffled as to why he should not take out that soldier; but there are somethings in life that are necessary, we do not always understand the why…but God is working all things out for our good…Jesus’ death and resurrection secured our eternal life! “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24.

God’s amazing grace is love in action; it is indescribable. The blood that Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross, still flows from the lowest valley, and reaches to the highest mountain and it will never lose its power!

May our hearts be blessed and assured today, that the love of God and the sweet communion of His Holy Spirit is with us always. He first loved us…let us walk in obedience and love Him freely. . . truly one day love lifted me, and all to Him I owe:

All my heart to Him I give,

Ever to Him I’ll cling,

In His blessed presence live,

Ever His praises sing;

Love so mighty and so true,

Merits my soul’s best songs;

Faithful loving service, too,

To Him belongs.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me.