As we continue to think of Calvary and what Jesus did for us on the Cross, our Bible Journaling verse today says, “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” (Matthew 27:35 KJV) Jesus sacrificed Himself for us.
If you have seen the movie by Mel Gibson, The Passion of the Christ, you have seen how horrible the Crucifixion was. I didn’t realize just how bad it was until I saw that movie, and I honestly believe the movie, as graphic as it was, didn’t cover the extent of the horror of it all. It sure made me think long and hard about what Jesus had done for me. As with most of us, just reading about it in the Bible, didn’t give me the slightest inkling of what Jesus had to endure. It causes us to wonder, “Why? Why would He willingly go through the scourging, the humiliation, the agony, the rejection? As I was working on my Bible Journaling the thought came to me, “He allowed Himself to endure such a horrific death because of His love for us.” Jesus was willing to sacrifice Himself because of His love for you and me.
I started thinking about some of the old hymns we used to sing in church, and there’s a song we used to sing that echoes that very question, “Why Should He Love Me So?,” why would He go through all that? Another song, “It’s Just Like His Great Love” tells us that because of His sacrifice, we can call Him Friend, He wants a relationship with us. It talks about how He has saved us, how He comes to our side when we are in situations that tend to keep us from realizing that He is right there with us, and parts the clouds of darkness so that we can see His face. Jesus does this, and more, because of His great love for us. The Gospel of John tells us, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 CSB) He willingly gave His life for us. No one took it from Him, He gave it! (John 10:17-18)
The Apostle Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39 ESV) Jesus loves us so much that He will never leave our side.
Jesus completed the work of being the final sacrifice for the sins of the entire world. “but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,” (Hebrews 10:12 NASB 1995) Jesus finished the work of salvation, there is nothing more that needs to be done…no more animal sacrifices, He is THE sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice! He did it all because He loves us more than we will ever comprehend.
So, what do we do in response? How do we show our love to Him? When we ask Jesus to take up residence in our hearts, sit on the throne of our hearts, and rule and reign in our lives, that shows our love for Him. When we praise His Name, when we worship Him, and when we are obedient to His direction, we are showing our love for Him. We can never repay what He has done for us, but we can thank Him for the love He has shown us. Thank you, Jesus, for your great love and sacrifice for us! You alone are worthy of all the praise and glory!
donnasmusings 