I Ran...

5.8km in the cross-country run on Saturday. It was my second competitive outing, and again, it was very tiring.

At one point, I felt like giving up and just walked instead.

But I determined to carry on.

At another point, I had cramps in my stomach and shoulder.

But I determined to carry on too.

When I reached the stadium where 400 metres had yet to be completed, I truly felt like giving up again because of the distance.

But for the third time, I determined to carry on.

In the end, I made it. I kinda pushed myself to the limit and felt like vomiting, but the satisfaction of knowing I ran the entire track was worth it.

I post this today not because I want to show how determined I was in completing the race, but rather the thought that came as I was running.

Jesus was the thought.

The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating Him. They blindfolded Him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” And they said many other insulting things to Him.

Luke 22: 63-65

He could have given up on His Mission and give in to the people who hit Him.

But He determined to carry on.

Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.

Luke 23:11

Again, He could have given up His Mission. But He determined to carry on in spite of what the king and soldiers did.

They (the soldiers) stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

Matthew 27:28-30

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

Luke 23:33

Even unto death, He determined to carry on.

What was His Mission?

To save you and me.

Being 100% human, the physical and mental pain must have burdened Jesus greatly, to the point of giving up. But because He had us on His mind, He determined to carry on until the end.

For Him, saving us was worth all the pain and mocking.

And for that, I'm thankful.

Jesus showed us God's love
In the garden when He prayed for us
Jesus showed us God's love
When He carried that awful cross
Tell me could you say, what Jesus said
If they did those mean things to you,
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

Jesus showed us God's love
When He let them nail Him to the cross
Jesus showed us God's love
When He died for us
Tell me could you say, what Jesus said
If they did those mean things to you,
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

By The Donut Man