Easter: To Know + Follow Jesus

Part 3: Jesus' Sacrifice

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Summary

Jesus’ sacrifice changes everything. Jesus willingly took our place. He laid down His life so that we could be redeemed in our relationship with God. His gift is for all people - regardless of nationality, gender, or socio-economic status - Jesus gave His life for you. Jesus’ sacrifice shows us the depth of God’s love and how we are called to live in relationship with God and with others. Let’s live our lives for the glory of our great God because His Son gave His life for us.

Content
Jesus Died For Us

When you begin to understand the sacrifice of Christ, everything changes. And if we can feel the weight and significance of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we will be better able to celebrate His resurrection on Easter and every day of our lives. 

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave His life for us! With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last (Mark 15:37). With his dying breath, Jesus showed the greatest love to each of us. As Jesus said in John 15:3 — Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

As Jesus died, He showed us how to live. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And, we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 The self-sacrificial love of Jesus is on display on the cross so that we can have an example of how to treat others. This Holy Week, let’s consider how we can put others before ourselves, just as Jesus did for us. 

Jesus Spoke From The Cross

During Jesus’ last moments, He made seven incredible statements. His first statement was one of forgiveness: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Even in the excruciating pain of crucifixion, Jesus asked for the Father’s forgiveness on behalf of those who were mocking Him and putting Him to death. Is there someone in your life who you hold a grudge against for something much less?

The second statement was about salvation. In Luke 23:40-43, a criminal crucified next to Jesus acknowledged Him as the Son of God and Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus was concerned about the salvation of His people in all moments, even with nails driven through His hands. Are there people we neglect sharing the love of Christ with for reasons far less significant?

And then, relationship. In John 19:26-27 Jesus asks that John will take care of His mother Mary like a son in His death and resurrection. Jesus was concerned about the wellbeing of the people around Him. Let’s spend this Holy Week and beyond keeping an eye out for those around us. In Jesus Christ, we are all brothers and sisters. 

Next, abandonment. John 15:34 records: And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” These words meant “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus was referencing the prophetic Psalm 22 at this moment. Jesus acknowledged His momentary separation from the Father as He took the sins of the world upon Him. But that separation would not last long, as He would soon be resurrected and seated at the right hand of the Father. God’s timing may be different from ours, but He knows what’s best for us. 

And then, distress. In John 19:28, Jesus said “I am thirsty.” Fully God and fully man, Jesus experienced physical pain just like we do. And yet he did not sin! Also, reunion: John 19:30 reads, When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” Jesus accomplished the mission The Father had for Him. And finally, in Luke 23:46, triumph: Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  When he had said this, he breathed his last. 

Jesus’ Sacrifice and You

Immediately upon Jesus’ death, we read in Mark 15:38, The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This curtain separated The Holy of Holies — God’s presence — from everybody else. Only on Yom Kippur would the high priest make an annual sacrifice on behalf of all people in this place. The tearing of this curtain reflects how God invites everyone into relationship with Him through the sacrifice of His Son. 

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

No matter who you are, God made a way for you! Regardless of your knowledge of the Bible, or whether you were born into a religious family, or whatever sins you’ve committed for how long: Jesus died for you, and Jesus’ sacrifice was enough. 

Jesus’ sacrifice makes all things new. Jesus died for your past sins, your present sins, and your future sins. And because of Jesus paying your price, you can be forgiven. Satan will lie to us, telling us we are too far gone. But through Jesus, we are justified, and our sins are washed away. Let’s hold this truth close as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this Easter season.

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