Read Galatians 1:1-5. Verse 4 in particular says, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” Over the past couple of weeks we have looked at different fundamental roles of Jesus. Jesus our Intercessor and Jesus our Sacrifice. Today we will look at the fact that Jesus freely gave Himself in these roles.
Some accuse the Jews of killing Jesus. Others blame the Romans (Gentiles). Ultimately, both Jew and Gentile played a role in the death of Jesus. All of us are equally guilty of putting Jesus on that cross, because we are all sinners, and it was our sins He died for. However, we must realize that while Jesus was a sacrifice - He was not a “victim”. No one could take Jesus’ life. He laid it down - and He took it up again (John 10:17-18). Jesus volunteered. He could have called on The Father, and stopped the whole thing. This makes His death all the more precious for us. Jesus wanted to redeem us, and He did what was necessary to accomplish it.
We see clearly in Galatians 1:4, that Jesus gave Himself for our sins, to deliver us from this present evil world. This present world is evil. Famine, natural disasters, disease, wars, murders, rapes, abortions, sexual immorality, neglect, abuse - the list is endless. It is all a result of sin; of man’s fallen nature. Jesus gave Himself to deliver us from these things. We will experience deliverance from some of these things in this life, but we will see the fullness of our deliverance in the world to come. Hold firm to your confession of faith in Jesus, for He is faithful that promised (Heb 10:23).
God is love, and love was His motivation for saving us. We see in Galatians 2:20 that because Jesus loved us, He gave Himself for us. We see this repeated in Ephesians 5:25, where it says husbands should love their wives, as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it. Love gives. Because God is the greatest lover, He is therefore the greatest giver. Because of His pure, undying love for us, He freely gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.
1Ti 2:5-6 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Notice again, Jesus gave Himself. He gave Himself a ransom for all. He died for the sins of the world. No matter who you are, or what you have done, Jesus is able to save you to the uttermost. His blood is sufficient to wash away every sin. If you will only call on Him for salvation and forgiveness of sins - He has already purchased your pardon. You have only to humble yourself and accept His gift of grace.
Titus 2:14 says that Jesus gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Notice he doesn’t redeem us from some, or most, of our iniquity. He redeems from all iniquity. He has purified us, and made us a special people, zealous of good works. The Greek word for church is ecclesia, which means a called out assembly. We have been called out of this world. The Lord says to each of us, “Come out from among them (those dead in trespasses and sins) and be separate” (2Cor 6:17).
Jesus gave Himself. He didn’t have to shed His blood for you, but he did. He didn’t have to suffer and die for your sins, but He did. He didn’t have to give you the blessing of eternal life, but He did. He did it all for you. He did it with you in mind. He did it because He loves you. He wants you in His Kingdom, to show you His kindness forever (Eph 2:7). Oh, how His love melts the heart! How can one not love Jesus!? I tell you, to know Him is to love Him! To know Him makes life worth living! Run to Jesus! Call on His name with a humble heart! He will not reject you! He gave Himself for you! Selah.
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