The Passion is a term used for the physical, spiritual and mental emotions in the hours before and during the events of Jesus’ trial and execution.
Passus in Latin meaning ‘to suffer’.
Jesus is the example of the perfect passion we seek to develop. He was not enthusiastic about going to the cross. He did not walk towards it with strong positive emotions. The Bible tells us that in the Garden of Gethsemane His soul was grieved. But Jesus made a choice to do God’s will.
Passion for us is a decision that we must make. It is our decision to do what pleases Christ even though our emotions may scream their objections. If we are deeply passionate about something, we are centred in God.
‘Remember God is with us’. David said, ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me’ (Psalms 23:4 NIV). God not only promises his power; he promises his presence. We will never go through a dark day alone. Jesus knew he wasn’t alone as he walked out his Passion.
Jesus wants us to be passionate about Him, to know Him and for us to give Him our time and love. When we are deeply passionate about Christ, we will not be able to hide it. Passion will drive us to obey at all times, even when we don’t feel like it.
Another word for heart is passion. We can feel deeply passionate about certain inborn interests God has given us. These can reveal the nature of our hearts; which if we listen for inner promptings, can point to the ministry God intends for us to have. Our emotional heartbeat is a key to understanding our purpose for service.
In those interests we are passionate about; let us take up the challenge of dreaming God’s dreams for our lives and consider how they might be used for His glory.
‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’
(Ephesians 3:20,21 NIV).