We Never Would Have Made It

On a sitcom discussing family longevity, a sickly relative who died young was mentioned. One character asked if she were alive today, how old would she be? The comedic answer was, “She never would have made it.” And so it is with us spiritually.

In John 13, Jesus was teaching His disciples before His journey to the cross. Peter asked Him where He was going. Jesus’ answer in Verse 36 is,

“Where I am going you cannot follow me now,

but you will follow afterward.”

Protecting, providing, making a way…Jesus was going to the cross.

Peter was so sure he could handle it, and declared he would lay down his life for Jesus. But Jesus let him know that he would actually deny Him three times. You never would have made it Peter, and neither would we. Our going to the cross would have been a sickly, blemished sacrifice that never would have cleansed.

Yet we get to follow after! After the blood, the suffering, the dying, and the resurrection.

Jesus was the only perfect sacrifice whose blood could cleanse, who could conquer death, and rise again in victory. He is the only person who ever lived who didn’t deserve a bit of all He went through. He took it on for us, so we – who never would have made it otherwise – could follow after. It’s why we call Him Savior. He provided us entrance into an eternal dwelling to which no other Kingdom can compare. There we find love, joy, peace, eternal life, all that is good, and most of all Him. There will be no hate, depression, unrest, unfaithfulness, etc. I can’t wait.

What an amazing plan. What amazing grace. We never would have made it, so He made a way by becoming the Way. Lord, thank You!