I'm sure you have heard before, whether you believe or not, that "Jesus died for you."
I'm writing this to those of you who have the same reaction I once did to that statement...
When I would hear this proclaimed I could not connect with the "big deal" it was made out to be. Because to me, what is the big deal about dying if you know you're coming back to life? Anyone who would make this statement also believed that He had indeed rose again, and had not remained in death.
For me, believing He died and rose again wasn't a difficult concept, it was understanding why His death was made out to be such a sacrifice; after all, He came back to life...
But, there is more...
Jesus did not just die...
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5
Jesus did not "die peacefully in His sleep." Jesus "death" lasted for days. He was slowly mocked, shamed, beaten, and crucified.
A definition of crucify: to treat with gross injustice; persecute; torment; torture.
Jesus received the worst torture one could have. And to know he did it willingly...
If anyone had the "power" to escape this treatment and ultimately that death, it was Jesus, but instead, He said "whatever your will is father."
He took it on, refusing anything to dull the pain, suffering until the final moment when he gave up his last breath.
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" 1 Pet 3:18
Jesus was laughed at...
Mocked...
Spit on...
Bruised...
Stabbed...
Beaten...
Tortured...
He bled...
Cried...
And Died FOR YOU and Me
And I choose to Live for Him.
Forever.
Eternally.
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