Some "I will's" of Jesus, part 3

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Some "I will's" of Jesus, part 3

Introduction from part 1: People who make the statement, "I will", quite often "will not!" It's not that they are necessarily intentionally lying, it's more of a case of saying things in a generalized sense. "I will" needs a "qualifier" to be more accurate when it comes to people, such as, "I will be at your house by 8 P.M" should have a qualifier added like, "if traffic is not too heavy and my car doesn't break down." Since very few people use such preciseness in their speech, it means we need to realize they may not do what they say they will. We cannot take people's statements as "Gospel", meaning absolute fact. We cannot stake our lives on them being able to accomplish what they say. God, on the other hand, is absolutely trustworthy. When HE says I will, you can just settle back and relax on that issue, because HE will!!! His Word is the law, and cannot be broken. In this and the other messages in this series, let's look at some of the things Jesus said HE will, and therefore, will do!

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. (Matthew 26:29 (KJV) This verse is a little different from the others in this series, in that it doesn't say what Jesus will do, but what HE will not do. Using this negative, though, shows us a positive, something HE will do! HE told them there would come a time when HE would "drink the fruit of the vine", after evil, death, and Hell have been banished and HE sits on the throne of Glory. HE didn't say it might happen, or it was a possibility; HE said HE would drink of it with them in His Father's kingdom. When Jesus used this negative to express a positive, you can rest assured the Father's kingdom will be established and Jesus will fellowship with the Disciples and the rest of us who are called His own. That day is coming and as the phrase says, "it will be here before we know it!" Jesus' Word cannot be broken!

But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. (Matthew 26:32 (KJV) The Disciples had to be very confused at this point in their earthly walk with Jesus. They had been sure the Messiah was going to set up His rule when HE appeared, but now HE was telling them bad things were going to happen that very night, resulting in there being scattered from Him. HE had already been describing these events at various times over the preceding 9 months or so, but they still didn't grasp what HE was saying. This little statement of Jesus, though short and succinct, contained the greatest promise, but it slipped right by them.. Later on, they would be reminded of it by Him and an angel as they told the women at the cemetery after His resurrection, as recorded: And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. (Matthew 28:7-10 (KJV) Jesus had tried to give them assurance there in that upper room, but it didn't sink in until later. That is the case with a lot of His promises; they don't really sink in until later, but that doesn't make them any less true. When Jesus says I will, you can rest assured, HE will!

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39 (KJV) As absolutely sure we can be of the truth Jesus will do everything HE says HE will, His will is always placed by Him under His Father's will. HE never let His desires take precedence over what the Father wanted. There is coming a day when even all of Creation will be under Jesus and HE will turn and bow to the Father. Paul wrote about this: And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:28 (KJV) The importance of this is brought out even more when we read: Although from the beginning He had the nature of God He did not reckon His equality with God a treasure to be tightly grasped. Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men. And being recognized as truly human, He humbled Himself and even stooped to die; yes, to die on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8 (Weymouth New Testament) Jesus' will is to always do the Father's will. That's why HE went to the cross. May we subject our wills to Him, as HE subjected His to the Father.