Unlike anyone in history, Jesus made a decision before his birth to voluntarily die.
He looked ahead to the cross at Golgotha where he would become the just payment for our sin. Jesus didn’t just die because of the cunning Jewish high priest or the barbaric Roman soldiers. If that were the case, his death would have been unremarkable and a defeat.
The truth is that no one could take Jesus’ life from him. He was in complete control until his last breath when he cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The Son of God died in full power and authority, choosing not to call a host of angels to his defense. In complete agreement with his Father, he was willing to lay down his life to purchase ours back and to save us from spiritual death.
Jesus saw sacrifice as something beautiful because it would bring us life.
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.
Jesus’ calls us to voluntarily lay down our lives as he did — to sacrificially love people even when it’s uncomfortable or painful. What if you saw sacrifice as a beautiful word?
Jesus, I receive your love. I praise you for dying on the cross to purchase my life back from death. I am willing to sacrifice my life for you. Please show me how to love others like you have loved me. Amen.
Throughout this Day: Spend the next few minutes thanking Jesus for his sacrifice. Look for an opportunity to surprise someone today by sacrificing your time, energy, or money for them.
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