Led by Jesus... like Jesus... to Jesus: 45

John 19
Jesus remained steadfast in his pursuit of his mission, even at great personal cost. The soldiers mocked and beat him, and although he could have destroyed them with a word, he submitted to their abuse. The Jewish leaders were false shepherds, claiming to represent God, but they in fact were violently opposed to God. Jesus could have revealed his glory and demonstrated his deity by calling down fire from heaven and consuming them, but he didn’t.

Jesus mission was to die for our sins, and he willingly took the pain, suffering, and ultimately death because of his love for humanity. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Even in the midst of the agony of the cross, he served others: He saw his mother and John the disciple and entrusted her to his care. “And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home” (v27).

Leading more like Jesus: We may be called on to sacrifice much for the sake of the kingdom, just like Jesus did. When the personal price gets too high, don’t bail on the mission that God gives you! Remember the sacrifice of Jesus and realize that you are like him when you set aside your comfort and desires to fulfill the will of the Father.