Jesus Laid Down His Life For Us

-September 4, 2022,

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

(John 10:17-18).

Jesus willingly laid down His life on the cross for us. In John 10, Jesus is telling us that He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep. We are His sheep and we have life through Him. In John 15:16, Jesus calls us His friends, saying, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Jesus loved even His enemies and laid down His life for the whole world. Those who believe in Him and His finished work on the cross have everlasting life. He had the greatest love, made the greatest sacrifice, with the greatest results. There are soldiers and others who give up their lives for their fellow soldiers and their country. There are also police officers and firefighters who also lay down their lives for complete strangers. As noble as their efforts are, none can compare to Jesus.

John who witnessed the death of Christ on cross, wrote in 1 John 3:16, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” It seems like a very hard thing for us to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ. I know that God would give each of us the grace to do it at the needed time. Jesus has set an example for us to follow.

Let us remember then His amazing love and sacrifice for us. The hymn writer Charles Wesley wrote, “And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be that Thou my God, shouldst die for me!”

Have a blessed day praising, worshipping, and thanking Jesus for laying down His life for us. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal love and plan,

Dean