My friends, I am going to make a bold statement which may take you by surprise:
Our victory did not start on the cross!
Why would I even venture to make such a statement?
Well, let’s go back to the Garden of Gethsemane, the place where our Lord fell on His knees before the Father, asking that the cup be taken away from Him.
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
~Luke 22:42
At that exact moment Satan was more than likely celebrating…licking his lips at the prospect of victory. But as we all know, the celebration did not last long, as the next word to come forth from our Lord’s lips shook the kingdom of Hell to its core!
That word was simply – “Nevertheless!”
Nevertheless is a word that means ‘be that as it may’. In essence Jesus was declaring: no matter the cost, I am saying ‘Yes’ to being sacrificed for all mankind.
Keep in mind that Jesus was still in human form when He made that declaration. It could not have been an easy decision for Him to make, but it was a necessary one. He knew it would cost Him everything. He knew He would feel every bit of pain to be inflicted upon His physical body. He knew He would have to face and endure rejection, humiliation, ridicule, betrayal, and moreover, a momentary disconnection from God, the Father.
My friends, no man will ever be able to truly understand what our Lord went through that night in Gethsemane when He came face to face with the reality of His impending crucifixion. In utter despair, He let out a heart-wrenching cry that came from deep within. It was an expression of His humanity, yet no sooner had he asked for the cup to pass, out of ‘pure love’ for us He said “Nevertheless…your will be done…”
In making such a statement He sent a message to the enemy: ‘I would rather choose death on a cross than return to Heaven empty-handed, leaving all mankind to suffer an eternal death!’
What love! What a sacrificial statement of love for us! An act of ransom, in order to redeem the human race!
My friends, our Lord’s death and resurrection not only gives us hope, but it teaches us that like Him,
We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us
~Romans 8:37
My friends, our victory started in the Garden of Gethsemane and was sealed on the cross, giving us the right to walk in it!
So let this revelation give us the strength to also declare – ‘Lord my walk with you will cost me, nevertheless Your will be done!’
