Jesus' Final Sacrifice

On our last week of advent, it is impossible to reflect on God’s gifts to us without taking notice of Jesus’s sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus’s obedience and humility to suffer on the cross for us was true love and an expression of sacrificial gifts. Let’s look at how deep the Father’s love is for His people.

Who would you die for? Is there someone you would die for? Maybe your spouse, children, or parents. Perhaps you have a dear friend that you would risk your life for. If you can name someone, I’m willing to bet the list is short. Death is a serious matter. Not only does death usually mean suffering, pain, and hurt, but it is also final. It is the end of a life. No more dinners with family and friends. No more walks on a beautiful sunny day. No more cuddling up with your adorable pet. Life on earth is over.

Imagine coming to earth with one mission, to die for all peoples’ sins. Jesus did not die knowing that everyone He was dying for loved Him, accepted Him, and praised Him. He died knowing that most people hated Him and wished Him dead. He knew this and still chose to die so that they could be forgiven if they chose to believe in Him one day. What I find interesting is the fact that He did not only die to take away our sins, but He took our sins upon Himself. A perfect deity took on the sins of all mankind so that we could have the opportunity to live freely with Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Then Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’” Your sins and my sins were placed on an innocent man. Not because He had to or was ordered to, but because He chose to out of love and mercy. As He hung on the cross He says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” As He is taking on our sin and experiencing the despair of sin, He is still placing us first. He truly cares about our souls and our forgiveness.

Jesus gave us the gift of His victory over death, sin, Satan, and hell. It is a free gift that only takes one thing, faith. We must have faith and believe in Him as the Messiah, the Son of God and the third head of the Trinity.

“It is finished” Jesus stated as he took His last breath. He completed His mission and became the final true sacrifice. Hebrews 6:19-20 says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever.” Jesus did not die on the cross and then abandon us. He is constantly mediating on our behalf. Every time we sin, He is mediating for our forgiveness. How does that make you feel? It should bring each of us to our knees. It should bring us to a place of gratitude knowing we are free and forgiven. As a Christian, it should also make us want to recognize our sin and turn from it. I want to run towards Him in freedom and run far away from the sin that is constantly trying to bring me down.

As we look to Jesus this Christmas season and remember His birth, we can also remember what His birth did for us. His birth in that lowly stable brought on His death on the cross that gave us a life of freedom. We are free from the burden of sin and shame. We do not have to carry our sin around with us as it is a scarlet letter on our chest. We can rip ourselves free from the sin that placed Jesus on the cross knowing that we are forgiven.

Jesus loves you and cares for you enough to sacrifice everything for you. How will you show gratitude to Him this Christmas?

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6

Digging Deeper:

Read Psalm 22. Reflect one these words that were spoken hundreds of years before Jesus’s birth. They were a prophecy of Jesus’s death on the cross and He repeated them showing the world that He was the chosen Messiah.

How are you most thankful for Jesus’s death on the cross for you?

How does it make you feel to know that Jesus took on your sin?

What is your reaction and thankfulness for Jesus’s love for you?

Merry Christmas, my friend! May you feel the joy that God has gifted you with this Christmas.