Did Jesus Know He Was Going to Be Put to Death?

By Billy Graham, Tribune Content Agency on Mar 22, 2016

Q: Did Jesus know He was probably going to be put to death? Couldn't He have done something to avoid it and keep on living? -- K.McK.

A: Yes, Jesus knew beyond doubt that His days were numbered, and that He would be put to death by those who opposed Him. He also knew when it would happen. Only weeks before His death He told His followers, "They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him" (Luke 18:31-33).

And yet Jesus did not shrink back from this or try to escape. Instead, the Bible says, He deliberately continued on His way. Why did He do this? Not because He had some kind of a twisted martyr complex, or because He was tired of living -- not at all. Instead, He knew it was part of God's plan for Him to die -- because by His death, He would become the final and complete sacrifice for all our sins. Jesus declared, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

Was there any other way for our sins to be forgiven? Only hours before His arrest Jesus struggled alone in prayer, asking God to take away the horror of what was about to happen to Him. He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

But there was no other way -- for on the cross, all our sins were transferred to Him, and He took upon Himself the judgment and Hell that we deserve. Think of it: He died for you! God loves you that much! Have you responded to His love by committing your life to Christ?

========

(Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.)