Focal Passage: John 19:8-11,16b-18, 28-30
“Love” has become a buzzword. We use the same word for the affection we have for our new shoes that we use for the affection we have for our families. This can make the word “love” a little muddy when we use it in our everyday language. The truth is that true love requires action. God made sure to make His love clear to us by sending Jesus to die for us.
Something very important to note about Jesus’ death is that He was completely in control. This makes His sacrifice so much more amazing! Jesus did not “get caught” as if He were hiding from arrest and crucifixion. All along He knew that He would die as a substitute for a sinful us. This had always been God’s plan. Pilate was mistaken when he thought he had a say in whether Jesus would live or die. The only power Pilate had was the power that God allowed him. God was bringing about redemption in His perfect time (Galatians 4:4-5).
Jesus suffered a particularly cruel and violent death. He was mocked, beaten, and tortured and then He was crucified. Moreover, He was innocent. Imagine having never done anything wrong and then having the sin of anyone who would ever live layed on you. This is what Jesus did for us. He suffered the punishment for our sin so that we wouldn’t have to. His sacrifice is why we can know God.
Jesus did everything necessary for our salvation. His death in our place satisfied the wrath of God that would otherwise be poured out on you and me. There is nothing left for us to do but repent and believe that the work is finished. There is nothing we can add to Christ’s sacrifice. On the cross, when He uttered the words, “It is finished,” He meant them.