“But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.” Luke 12:50

The baptism Jesus here referenced was that of His sufferings in death. The wrath of God for sin would immerse Christ, and in doing so, the will of God would be accomplished in the salvation of His people. The anticipation of this event was filled with heavy emotions for the Lord.

On one hand, it was something foreboding and ominous when He considered the sufferings. But on the other hand, Christ desired to accomplish His mission. He desired to wash sinners from their sins and to bring forgiveness to guilty souls. He looked forward to the joy of a Holy God being fully reconciled to sinful men. Because of the joy that would meet Him on the other side of the Cross, He endured the suffering faithfully (Hebrews 12:2).

Though we will never have to suffer God’s wrath on a cross like Jesus, our hearts should mirror His. Do you have a passion to accomplish the will of God in your life? Do you desire to see God’s glory manifested in this world? May the Lord stir our hearts up like Christ, that we will endure the difficulties of life, being motivated by the deep, faithful love of Jesus.

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