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Jesus died as us
While the focus of Jesus dying for us is our justification, the focus of Jesus dying as us is our sanctification.
This aspect of His death brings an entirely different meaning to the work of the cross in our lives. Jesus dying for us means we can receive forgiveness for our sins; Jesus dying as us means we can receive freedom from our sins.
Here is a brief list that points out the differences between Jesus dying for us and as us:
Jesus dying for me: He is my Redeemer.
Jesus dying as me: He is my Deliverer.
Jesus dying for me: He has dealt with the fruit of my sins.
Jesus dying as me: He has dealt with the root of my sins.
Jesus dying for me: I am released from the penalty of sin.
Jesus dying as me: I am released from the power of sin.
Jesus dying for me: I am justified.
Jesus dying as me: I am sanctified.
Jesus dying for me: I am saved from my past.
Jesus dying as me: I am saved from myself.
In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 we read an amazing truth, “For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.”
This passage places us on the cross with Jesus Christ. It says that Jesus not only died, but we died with Him. “He died for all” and “all died” is a powerful proclamation, a life-changing provision, and transforming reality in the hearts of all who believe.
Why did Jesus die as us? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 supplies us with the answer. Jesus died as us so that we would no longer be people who are living for themselves, but who are living, all out, for Him. This is good news! We really can be free. The message of the cross is our emancipation proclamation from sin and selfishness.
This life-changing truth is not something you can understand by sitting down, putting your hand under your chin, and thinking hard about it. In order for this truth to impact your life, the Holy Spirit must open your spiritual understanding and reveal it to you. This truth is not something the human mind can figure out; it is a truth the heart needs to see, as the light of the cross shines upon it.
In his book The Cross and Sanctification, T.A. Hegre reminds us of why Christ came, “Jesus came to be not only our Savior but our Deliverer. He said that He came to ‘proclaim release to the captives and to set at liberty them that are bruised’ (Luke 4:18-19). Christ came into the world not only to forgive sins and give eternal life, but also to bring release to those who are in bondage to self-will and to set at liberty those that are bruised by the devil.”
I would like to encourage you to pray the following prayer before we look deeper into the meaning of the cross in our lives…
Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die for me and as me. Jesus, thank You for being obedient to the Father, for praying “Not my will, but Thine be done,” and for willingly giving your life upon the cross. Holy Spirit, I ask You to open my understanding and reveal to my heart the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ in my life. I want to be fully Yours so I can know what it means for You to be fully mine. Amen.
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Jesus died for us.
In his book on the passion of Jesus, John Piper says this about the cross, “The measure of God’s love for us is shown by two things. One is the degree of his sacrifice in saving us from the penalty of our sin. The other is the degree of unworthiness that we had when he saved us. There is only one explanation for God’s sacrifice for us. It is not us. It is the “riches of His grace.” It is all free. It is not a response to our worth. It is the overflow of his infinite worth. In fact, that is what divine love is in the end: a passion to enthrall undeserving sinners, at great cost, with what will make us supremely happy forever, namely, His infinite beauty.”
The message of the cross is a message of God’s amazing love and grace. The bible tells us that Jesus died for us. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJV.
Jesus dying for us is a glorious truth, it means our justification and much more—He died for our sins, He took our sins upon Himself, He was our sacrificial lamb, His blood made atonement for us, He was our substitute, dying in our place—taking our judgment, our death, our hell. He died as our Redeemer, shedding His blood to buy us back to God as His possession, and to bring the joy of knowing Him into our lives.
Sermons will be preached throughout the world during this time of year proclaiming this redeeming truth, “Jesus died for us.” This is a special time for Christians to celebrate what Christ did for them through His death; it is also a special time to preach the Gospel to those who are lost, proclaiming to them the “so great salvation” that can be theirs through Jesus Christ.
Jesus died and rose for you! Does this not say it all?
Jesus died and rose for you.
If you only knew this one truth, it would be sufficient.
If you only had this loaf of spiritual bread to eat, it would satisfy your hunger.
If you only had this living water to drink, it would quench your thirst.
Jesus died and rose for you.
This is the taproot from which the tree of life grows.
This is the headwater from which the healing river flows.
This is the pen from which the great doctrines of faith are written—justification, sanctification, redemption, salvation—Jesus died and rose for you.
Does God love you?
Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
Does God care about you?
Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
Does God provide for you?
Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
Does God forgive you, save you, receive you?
Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
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The deceiver tells me I am good.
The cross tells me I am a sinner.
The deceiver tells me I’m on the right road.
The cross tells me I am lost.
The deceiver tells me I am innocent.
The cross tells me I am guilty.
The deceiver tells me I can save myself.
The cross tells me I need a Savior.
The deceiver tells me Christ’s work is incomplete.
The cross tells me it is finished.
The deceiver tells me I am condemned.
The cross tells me I am justified.
The deceiver tells me I cannot be made clean.
The cross tells me the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all sin.
The deceiver tells me the stain of sin has ruined my life.
The cross tells me I have been washed whiter than snow.
The deceiver tells me I can never be free from my past.
The cross tells me all things have been made new.
The deceiver tells me I must work for my salvation.
The cross tells me it is by grace alone.
The deceiver tells me I can live the way I want.
The cross tells me I have been bought with a price.
The deceiver tells me God is against me.
The cross tells me God is for me.
The deceiver tells me all roads lead to heaven.
The cross tells me Jesus is the only way.
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If He weren’t exalted,
I would be down!
If He weren’t my joy,
I'd be wearing a frown.
If He weren’t guiding,
I'd stay in my seat.
If He weren’t triumphant,
I'd live in defeat.
If He weren’t the Master,
Where would I go?
If He weren’t the Physician,
Who'd heal my soul?
If He weren’t the Teacher,
How could I learn?
If He weren’t the Answer,
Where would I turn?
If He weren’t Jesus
I’d be in my sin;
If He weren’t the Victor,
I never could win.
If He weren’t the High Priest
I wouldn’t have a prayer.
If He weren’t my peace
I’d be loaded with care.
If He weren’t the Shepherd
I simply would roam.
If He weren’t in heaven
I wouldn’t have a home.
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His strongest grace
is for your weakest moment;
His sweetest fellowship
is for your loneliest journey;
His richest supply
is for your neediest hour;
His closest embrace
is for your deepest sorrow;
His brightest light
is for your darkest day.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?... No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 NLT
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But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! Galatians 6:14 AMP
In less than a month, we as believers, will once again turn our focus upon the Cross of Christ as we remember His death and celebrate His resurrection. To help your heart prepare for this special time, I am posting a poem written by Harold Brokke. It is a powerful proclamation of the atoning work of Christ to forgive us, to cleanse us, and to free us from our sins.
Calvary
Christ bore the curse to Calvary,
the fullness of the fall.
Oh tragic death, if Jesus bore,
a little, but not all.
If there are citadels of sin
where Christ set not His claim,
let angels wear confusion
and God be robed in shame.
If with this heart renewed by Christ,
perversity must dwell,
then what a caustic compromise
has heaven made with hell?
No, God envisioned Calvary
all love in its design.
It gladdens His eternal heart
because it purges mine.
Cast off the dark delusion,
the bondage of the lie
that says to those involved in sin,
“You shall not surely die”.
Put on, my soul, the truth of God,
sin owns no part in thee.
Your freedom from the “all” of sin
is all in Calvary.
By Harold Brokke, from his book The Testimony of Jesus
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Ever wonder what you'll say to your daughter before her wedding day? Ever consider the words of wisdom you want to share with your son when he leaves home for college? Ever think about the reflections on life you want to give to your grandchildren?
Here are a few observations and thoughts about life that you may want to add to your collection. If you don't have a collection of heart reflections gathered yet, perhaps this list will stir you to begin the process. Some thoughts are practical, some are simple, some are fun, but all are meant to make life richer and more rewarding.
* When you greet people, look them in the eye. When they speak, give them your attention.
* When someone speaks to you in anger, let your response be a soft answer.
* Learn how to receive a compliment.
* You can't always be on the giving end. When others give to you, receive it with as much grace and kindness as is being extended.
* Learn to laugh more - it's great medicine.
* Never need "a little more" in order to be content.
* Three things to remember about people: their names, their birthdays, a few of their favorite things.
* Find a place away from city lights and gaze into the heavens on a clear night.
* Call or send a card for no reason.
* If you don't need it, do without it if it means going into debt.
* Tithe - you can never out-give God.
* Let people know you appreciate them for who they are and not just what they do.
* Sing around the house. Church isn't the only place to praise the Lord.
* Fix a special meal, served on special china, for no special reason.
* The best time to treat anything that needs maintenance is "right now."
* Never allow what you possess to possess you.
* Return the thing you borrow in better condition than you receive it.
* Don't ever forget to return the things you borrow, fix the things you break, pay the bills you owe, take care of the things you own.
* If you are not sure what to do in a given situation, ask, "What is the loving thing to do?"
* Take a class in music appreciation.
* Do something new with an old friend.
* Guard trust in any relationship.
* Don't ever lose heart - God will never give up on you.
* Never let your heart run out of thankfulness.
* One place to “be like Jesus” is behind the wheel of your car.
* Don't feel inferior to anyone. God made only one of you.
* When you do something, put everything you have into it.
* Don't carry around worry, fear or anxiety. They are the thieves of peace.
* Hold things with an open palm.
* Guard the company you keep. It will impact your behavior.
* Never quit giving the gift of your smile.
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Today’s posting is written in prayer form. The prayer is based upon a promise from Scripture. It can be prayed on behalf of anyone, however, it is written as a prayer for your children or grandchildren.
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing. Proverbs 10:7 NIV
Father, I thank You that You bless our lives so that we can be a blessing to others. I pray that by Your grace and power You will work within my children the things that will help them to bring encouragement and enrichment to the lives of those they touch.
Give to them the soothing words that will heal a hurting heart; the wise words that will guide a seeking heart; the assuring words that will comfort a grieving heart; the accepting words that will embrace a lonely heart; the affirming words that will strengthen a fearful heart; the life-giving words that will fill an empty heart.
I pray that through the testimony of the lives of my children there will be others who know You better and love You more. May there be many who will say of them, “I thank God for you.” I ask that through their choices, their faith, and their obedience to Your will, my children will leave a legacy that will impact their generation and generations to come.
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In today’s posting I would like to share with you the story behind the writing of the Just Think message I wrote for DaySpring Cards.
As I sat in my office one afternoon I was handed a folder by someone in marketing. In the folder was a job ticket requesting that I write a general greeting card message appropriate for someone’s birthday. I wasn’t sure where to begin, but I wanted to write something that would connect people with the heart of God. As I thought and quietly prayed, two things began to influence the direction of the card message I would write.
The first influence was the teaching of evolution. It was a subject that had been on my mind for several weeks. I was concerned about the impact this teaching was having upon people’s lives. “There are so many people who find life meaningless,” I thought, “they need to know that life is not about chance, but that God has created them for a purpose.”
The second influence was a Scripture passage I read in Acts 13:36, “For David…served his own generation by the will of God…” This passage was a powerful reminder that each person can fulfill the will of God in his or her generation.
As I thought about these two different things, they soon began to blend together to form the card message I wrote that day. I titled it Just Think.
Just Think.
Just think, you’re here not by chance, but by God’s choosing.
His hand formed you and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else—you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.
The Just Think message is based upon three main Bible passages. They are as follows:
1. Just think, you’re here not by chance, but by God’s choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else—you are one of a kind.
Psalm 139:13-15 NLT, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.”
2. You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you.
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV
3. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.
Acts 13:36 KJV, “For David…served his own generation by the will of God…”
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You will never meet a fear that Jesus has not conquered; you will never face an enemy that Jesus has not defeated; you will never have a need that Jesus cannot meet; you will never face a temptation that Jesus cannot overcome; you will never have a burden that Jesus cannot lift; you will never face a problem that Jesus cannot solve; you will never have a wound that Jesus cannot heal; you will never know a bondage that Jesus cannot break; you will never know a circumstance when Jesus is not sufficient; you will never experience a moment when Jesus does not care.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 KJV
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