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| Volume 26 Number 3 March 2024 |
Page 13 |
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| Volume 26 Number 3 March 2024 |
Page 13 |
He Gave His All
Roger Wright
Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV)
Grace is free – to us, that is. However, grace was not free to God. He sent His Beloved, Perfect, Unique Son into the world to live a sinless life and to pay the ultimate price to redeem us. “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).
Sometimes we see a beautiful, polished cross hanging on a wall, high on a hill or perhaps as a piece of gold jewelry. In reality, the cross is a symbol of the sinfulness and cruelty of man in contrast with the righteousness and indescribable love of Jesus for us.
There is no way that we could have ever paid enough money, worked hard enough or done enough good works to earn our redemption. What we deserve is eternal punishment for our sins. We deserve to go to Hell. We deserve to be separated from God forever (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). In spite of our helpless condition, God wants us. He showed His desire by allowing Jesus to die in our place.
Under the Old Testament, Passover lambs were to be in perfect health and spotless, the best of the flock. In like manner, Jesus’ heart was pure and free from all sin. The Lamb of God was tempted as we are, and yet, without sin (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15).
We come together on the Lord’s Day, the first day of each week, to commemorate Jesus’ sacrifice and to celebrate our redemption. In the Lord’s Supper we take time to pray and thank God for His love and the gift of His Son. We examine ourselves, seek His forgiveness and ask for strength to be faithful and true to the end.
Praise be to God for all that He has done for us. It is a wonderful life to be in Christ. We have the blessings of God each day. We have His support and guidance. We have a blessed hope because Jesus has risen and is coming back to take us home. We have a great inheritance in Heaven. All of this is ours because Jesus gave His all when He died on the cruel cross for you and me.
