"Must" Is The Word!

The word "optional" is not a part of the idea put forth in the word "must." The word "must" means "of necessity" (Strong's 1163). A good example of this is when Jesus' parents found Him in the temple. He said to them, "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49).

In order to accomplish the will of the Father, there were things Jesus had to do. Did He have a choice? Yes and no. Yes, it was His divine prerogative — it was not forced on Him (John 10:17-18). But to accomplish Heaven's will, He had to live in the flesh and die for the sins of man. That was the only way man was going to be saved. And in that sense, He had no other choice.

In a consideration of unfolding events by which that might be accomplished, the disciples had a problem understanding how Elijah "must" first come, since Jesus was in their presence and they had not seen Elijah. Was not the Scripture accurate which prophesied this? (Malachi 4:5-6). When this question was posed to Jesus, He said, "Elijah truly is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know, but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands. Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptist" (Matthew 7:11-13).

In order for prophecy to be sure and God's plans accomplished, of necessity there had to be John the Baptist. In fact, in consideration of any prophecy, the event prophesied "must" come to pass or it is not a valid prophecy at all (Deuteronomy 18:18-22). Rather it is merely a speculation or a guess. There are people today who are good at "guessing" the future, especially when they speak in such broad generalities that several events can fit into their speculation. However, when Jesus spoke with preciseness about the future — the events had to happen exactly as He prophesied.

Although there are things we "must" do, it doesn't mean that we don't have a choice. Saul was instructed by Jesus to, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9:6). When Ananias was sent by Jesus to Saul, he came to tell him what Jesus directed that Saul "must" do. He said, "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins......" (Acts 22:16).

Did Saul have a choice? Yes he did. But to receive forgiveness, he had no choice — the Lord's way was the only way (Acts 2:37-38; cf. Acts 4:10-12; John 14:5-6). "Must" is the word!

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets