It is written of Me

The agony, suffering, rejection, and crucifixion of Jesus were all foretold centuries, even thousands of years before they happened. Knowing full well what this dissident world had in store for Him, Jesus submitted Himself to the Scriptures and the blood-stained path they traced out for Him. Before coming to earth, He said in heaven:

“‘Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me; in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, You have taken no pleasure.’ Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God.’” (Hebrews 10:5-7 NASB)

The words “In the scroll of the book, it is written of Me” indicate that Christ was fully aware of every prophecy about Himself.

After His crucifixion and resurrection, when He met two disheartened disciples on the road, Jesus reminded them:

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)

The Old Testament prophecies that identify the Messiah can be divided into four main categories: the timing of His birth and death, His actions, how people treated Him, and His character traits. It is significant that God provided so many prophecies about Jesus—over 350 references in the Old Testament describe Christ.

Some of the most fascinating prophecies about Jesus concern the manner and timing of His death. By combining the prophetic ceremony of the Passover, instituted in Moses’ time, with Daniel’s vision of the 490-year period predicting the Messiah’s coming, we can pinpoint not only the year, month, and exact day but also the very hour of Jesus’ last breath on the cross. It is truly astonishing!

However, the purpose of this article is not to expound on these prophecies but to highlight how Jesus navigated his earthly life, fully aware of God’s great and definite plan—that He, the Man of Sorrows acquainted with grief, was to lay down His life as a ransom for humanity. This was a choice He made in heaven, understood as a child on earth, and renewed daily as He grew and approached the scandal of the cross.

Christ’s courage, determination, and heroism in laying down His life stand in stark contrast to the baffled attitudes of His disciples. Time and again, Jesus tried to open their minds to the mystery of His suffering and death, but He was met with dazed amazement, puzzled skepticism, and even stern rebukes. Yet, He pressed on, treading the winepress alone.

Jesus’ mind must have been filled with every detail of this divine plan. From the manger to the cross, the Scriptures guided Him, outlining the purpose of His birth, the significance of his righteous life, and the implications of His death. We often read in the Gospels, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet…” It was the Word of God to which He made Himself subject, as it contained God’s will for Him—the definite plan of redemption.

It is awe-inspiring to see how faithful Jesus was to this plan—how careful He was not to move faster than God’s providence allowed, yet always walked in perfect timing with prophecy. He also moved swiftly enough to stay beyond the reach of evil men and angels bent on destroying Him before His work was done.

Early in His ministry, Jesus often told those He healed not to spread the news to avoid premature attention. For the same reason, He charged His disciples not to reveal that He was the Christ. When He cast out demons, He “suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew Him.” When He knew the Pharisees were plotting His death, He avoided those places—it was not yet His time. His capture and death were not accidents or failures of the plan; they were part of the plan. Jesus was always in full control of what happened to Him, declaring:

“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)

After Christ’s ascension, Peter told the Jews:

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.” (Acts 2:22-23 NASB)

But while Christ was with them, the disciples were slow to grasp this truth. The first time Jesus related the reality of His suffering to them, Peter rebuked Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall never happen to You!” Jesus responded with remarkable severity, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Matthew 16:23)

He then introduced His disciples to the nature of His ministry, saying, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) The cross was ever before Christ—it was the reason He was born and the path that shaped His life. Often, He mentioned His suffering and crucifixion to His disciples, but it was as though they did not hear Him. They carried on as if nothing had been said, sometimes too afraid to ask Him what He meant, lest they face the reality of the cross.

But as the time of the cross approached, Jesus became more determined. When the time came for Him to be taken up, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51). On the way, Jesus went before His disciples, and they were amazed and afraid. He took the Twelve aside and told them what was to happen to Him. As He neared the final Passover with His disciples, He again predicted His death, even specifying the timing.

He said, “You know that after two days, the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be delivered up for crucifixion.” (Matthew 26:2). Jesus made five references to His death in chapter 26 of Matthew alone. Each time, He was conscious of the divine plan written out in the Scriptures and followed it with unwavering resolve.

Finally, Jesus came to the Garden of Gethsemane, where His soul was to be tortured by the dreadful weight of sin. This garden, a place He often resorted to for prayer, became the stage for His ultimate decision to lay down His life. Prostrate, tormented, He lay praying, pressed against the cold soil, moistened by His tears and blood. Everything He had done led to this moment, where the destiny of the human race hung by a thread. Three times He cried out in agony:

“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

The second time He prayed:

“O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42)

He repeated similar words the third time He prayed, when he made it clear that he resolved to submit himself to the will of God. Then, the Scriptures record a curious account:

“Then He came to His disciples and said to them, ‘Sleep on now and take your rest; behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; behold, he who betrays Me is at hand.’ And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.” (Matthew 26:45-47)

Notice how He tells His disciples to sleep and to rise in the same breath. Why this apparent contradiction? Was Christ suggesting they should flee from Judas, or was He contemplating running away from the danger ahead? Yet, hadn’t He just wrestled with the decision to lay down His life and resolved to drink the cup of suffering? Indeed! Pay close attention: ‘while He was still speaking,’ while instructing His disciples to rest, Jesus heard the approaching footsteps of Judas and the band of soldiers. It was then that He said, ‘Rise, let us be going, for he who betrays Me is at hand.’

At this moment, Christ seizes His opportunity—His time of betrayal is ‘at hand,’ and He urges His disciples to rise and go with Him. The struggle is over; He is now fully determined to lay down His life and goes forward – not in a frightened retreat from danger – but resolved to meet His betrayer face to face. Notice the words from the Gospel of John:

“Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’” (John 18:3-4)

This was no small crowd—a band of Roman soldiers was at least 500 men. But Jesus showed no fear. He had already wrestled with the cup of suffering and shame, and now He had decided to drink it. He went forth, confidently and fearlessly, to meet His enemies and embrace His cross.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:18-20 NIV)

As we have seen, Jesus’ life was a purposeful journey toward the cross, guided by a divine plan that He embraced with unwavering resolve. Every step He took was a testament to His obedience to the Father’s will and His deep love for humanity. His determination to fulfill His mission culminated in His courageous confrontation with those who came to arrest Him, demonstrating that He was not a victim of circumstance but the willing Saviour of the world.

In the next article, titled “Tempted in All Points,” we will explore another aspect of Christ’s life—how He faced and overcame every point of temptation known to man, and discover how His victory over temptation provides hope and strength for us today.