“For while we were still helpless,
at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6) Jesus Christ, 100%
God in the form of a man humbled Himself, leaving the perfection of heaven, and
the presence of the Father to grace earth with His holy presence. “…although He existed in the form of God, did
not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking
the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found
in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of
death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)
Jesus’ willingly submitted Himself
to a cruel execution on the cross to provide redemption we could not earn any
other way. Because, “….without shedding
of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22b) “For Christ also died for sins once for all,
the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to
death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1 Peter 3:18) If it were
not for Christ’s death, we’d all be hopelessly damned to hell for all of
eternity, a fitting and deserved end for each and every one of us. “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly
were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)
Jesus died because He loves us. “But God demonstrates His own love
toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) While living He taught His disciples that; “Greater
love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John
15:13) He modeled that like no other
human when He sacrificially died that we may have abundant life (John
10:10). The love of God is pure, not
selfishly motivated, it is unending and unchanging, an undeserved extravagant
gift toward us, enemies of God, sinful, wickedly hear-ted mankind. It’s a love beyond our human understanding,
there is no greater love. “For God so
loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in
Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Jesus died to demonstrate His
obedience to the Father (Luke 22:42, Philippians 2:6-8). He did it to bring glory to God the Father
and Himself. “When Jesus had spoken
these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has
come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him
authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having
accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own
presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” (John
17:1-5)
Jesus’ death serves as a picture of
our death and spiritual resurrection when we place our faith in Him. “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe
that we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:8)
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
(Colossians 3:3) “I have been crucified
with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the
life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Jesus Christ died to; save sinners,
show His love, glorify God, give us an example of how we can be regenerated to
new life in Him. But, most of all Christ
died so He could rise again. Miracle of
miracles occurred three days later Jesus was placed and sealed in a dark
tomb. The tomb was found empty (John
20:1-19), Jesus had been resurrected (Acts 13:30)! His death is important, His resurrection is
triumphant victory over death forever to all who will believe (Romans
10:9).
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