From the moment sin entered the world in Genesis 3, human beings were in need of a Savior. Sin left human beings separated from God and on the path toward death. Praise God that He did not leave us in that lost and hopeless state. You see, at just the right time, He sent Jesus to rescue us and pay the price for our sins so that we could be made right with God and spend eternity with Him one day. Because of Jesus, we have the hope of Heaven. He sacrificed His very life for us, and He is so worthy of our worship.
Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, explained the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf in 1 Peter 2. In this passage of Scripture, Peter wrote to his readers, “God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps” (verse 21). Indeed, Christ suffered for us. Peter continued explaining Jesus' sacrifice for us. He wrote, "He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right” (verse 24). Pay attention to Peter’s words in this verse: Jesus “personally carried our sins in His body on the cross.” When He sacrificed His life on the cross, Jesus personally experienced the pain of all that He endured. He endured the nails, the beating, and the mocking of the crowd. Jesus sacrificed everything for us.
The question we must ask ourselves is, “What motivated Jesus’ sacrifice for us?” Jesus gave us insight into why He laid His life down on our behalf in John 15, a passage of Scripture where He spoke to His disciples shortly before His death. He said to them, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (verse 13). He soon proved that statement to be true by laying His life down when He was sacrificed on the cross. Jesus sacrificed His life because of His love.
My friend, you are so loved. Jesus proved just how much He loves you by sacrificing His life on your behalf. Praise Him for His sacrifice, which He made because of His great love for you.
The only appropriate response to the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf on the cross is to say, “Thank you.” Take a few moments now to write out a prayer of thanksgiving to Christ. Thank Him for the sacrifice that He made on your behalf. Praise Him for all that He has done for you and the rest of the world.
1So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say,
“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”
8 And,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
10 “Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”
11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
Slaves
18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
22 He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
25 Once you were like sheep
who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.
