Died

There is only one way to respond to such love—fall down and worship him!

Caught in the grip of sin, we were helpless and hopeless. There was no way out. But then the Rescuer came.

I trust in Jesus as the only way to have a relationship with God, experience new life now, and live with Him forever.

Let’s not leave it to our culture to teach us how to die. God’s Word is the only place we find the promise of eternal life.

Death followed Jesus throughout his life. From the moment of his birth, those in authority were trying to kill him. And finally, they did. But not as a helpless victim; Jesus voluntarily gave himself up for us on the cross.  He died in my place. He died so that I could live. Have you surrendered to the King? Or, like Herod, are you still trying to keep him out of your life?

Too many people use the guilt and shame of sin as a barrier between themselves and God. Many believe they must clean up their acts before God will accept them. The problem with that thinking is this: no one can clean up their life on their own. Only Jesus can do that. Lay your sin—the sin He died for—before Him and let His forgiveness wash over your heart.

The Almighty took on flesh and made His dwelling among us. His existence was for this painful purpose. Sin had separated man from God. Death was sin’s penalty. Jesus, fully God and fully man, took on death for us. The Sinless One died for sinful man. The penalty of sin was paid for in full at the cross. He sacrificed Himself for you.

Jesus was not a victim. He did not find Himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was not a casualty at the hands of the religious leaders or Roman authorities. Jesus went to the cross on His own accord and for a purpose. The penalty of sin is death. Jesus took this punishment on our behalf. He bore our sins in His body on the cross. He died so we could live.

Love doesn’t stop with this supreme act of Jesus. Those He died for are to love each other as He has loved us. We are to lay down our lives for another person if need be. Jesus’ great sacrifice calls for us to demonstrate great love. Love is costly. Long before a sacrificial death, love must be shown with a sacrificial life.