What does this make possible? 

This is one of my favorite questions. Yesterday, my coworker Becky and I had a Zoom meeting with a significant leader. At one point in the conversation, this question naturally arose. 

We do not find this question in this calm scene before the storm to come, but we do find its answer. 

“Jesus knew.” What Jesus knew made everything possible: everything that happened that evening, the next day, and the days that followed. 

“Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God.” 

Jesus knew where he came from and why. He knew what he was to do while he was here. He knew he was going back to the Father. What did that make possible?

Anything, everything, and whatever was necessary. 

Jesus could face the cross, not without deep emotion, but with confident assurance of what it would achieve and where it would lead on the other side.

Some journeys are smooth sailing. Others are bumpy, maybe even frightening. Safe arrivals and destinations reached calm our fears and help us live and serve freely and fully. 

Jesus knows now just as he knew then. 

What he knows and what he has declared should give us confidence as storm clouds gather, thunder rumbles, lightning flashes, and destruction looms. When we belong to Jesus, we belong to the One who calms storms and calms those who know and love him. 

He knows the storms on the horizon, the storms in our hearts, the storms in our work, and the storms in our nation. He knows what lies on the other side. He knows how it all ends. He knows the best is yet to come for all of us who follow his will and ways. 

Here’s what you can know about today: He knows. He’s in charge. Everything ends in glory. We do not have to be afraid. We can live joyfully knowing where we’re going, and all it makes possible. We have his word on it: 

“I am the way, the truth, and the life,” (John 14:6).

What does this make possible?

Anything, everything, and whatever is necessary. 

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I will know Jesus who knows everything, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

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Our Father, I want to know Jesus so deeply that whatever lies ahead does not cause terror but anticipation. I want to live confidently no matter what comes. I want to show everyone how good you are. Amen.