Do not underestimate the Sacrifice of the Cross, an invaluable gift which removed our sin, made us the righteousness of God, healed our diseases, gave us eternal life, and life in eternity.
When God looks at us, He sees the Ultimate Sacrifice, His
beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death was a gift to a sin-wrought population,
who does not seem to truly understand its awesome value.
This sacrifice didn’t just remove our sin, but it enabled the destruction of the invisible adversary. One Man, one Cross, one death, resulting in total destruction, and many lives saved.
We should be elated and ever so willing to present our
bodies as living sacrifices, walking crucifixes, proclaiming this one-of-a-kind
great news.
The Ultimate Sacrifice became sin for us as He took all the
sin of the whole world. Please, let that sink in for just a moment, as we read The
Message translation of 1 John 2:2,
“he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin
problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s.”
Have you ever taken the blame for someone else’s mistake? Then you understand that feeling of absolute devastation, knowing that you are innocent but being accused of something you did not cause, suffering the humiliation and punishment for something not of your doing. So, imagine that multiplied a gazillion times. It is the sins of everyone in the entire world who lived, lives, and will live. Sins that were committed, will be committed and have not been committed yet. Even our unintentional sins – those unknown sins.
The animal sacrifices under the Law of Moses can never
compare to the sacrifice of Jesus, which is far more valuable to God, the
Father. Jesus’ sacrifice on that Cross, the blood that He shed, provides
infinite forgiveness and enables multitudes to enter into Life.
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his
one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by
believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” (John 3:16 MSG)
God did not make this Ultimate Sacrifice for a select few, it
was, and is, for “anyone” – whosoever believes. (see John 3:15)
The theologian responsible for Methodism, John Wesley, concerned about human salvation said in a sermon,
“the grace or love of God, whence cometh our salvation, is free
in all, and free for all”
Free for All…we should be shouting “Grace! Grace!” in
unrestrained gratitude to God, “for it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of
God” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV). Thank God for His grace and His mercy!
Where would we be, were it not for this gift of God, the Ultimate
Sacrifice?
Beloved, to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice is our ultimate sacrifice.
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “The Ultimate Sacrifice“ © March 14, 2025
No comments:
Post a Comment