14th April 2025
We can have confidence in Jesus because he died for us
Part of a series for Easter Preparation
‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’
1 Peter 2:24 (NIVUK)
There is no easy way of saying it, crucifixion was bloody and horrific; it was an excruciatingly painful and gruesome way to die, which is why the Romans used it to punish criminals and rebels. In becoming like us, Jesus had already sacrificially divested himself of more than we can grasp, but his sacrificial self-giving on the cross is beyond all we could have imagined.
On the cross, Jesus suffered unjustly, the result of hatred, fear, greed and pride. He suffered from a cruel beating, the indignity of being hung naked for all to see, the insults of the crowd and the desertion of his friends. But supremely, he suffered the pain of all humanity’s sin being placed upon him for our healing: as Jesus died for us in our place, the guilt and shame of our sin was absorbed and taken care of.
It is deeply moving and humbling when we discover that someone has sacrificed something for us. It may be the small matter of a husband forgoing watching the big football game so his wife can see her favourite TV programme. It may be of more importance where parents sacrifice luxuries to feed and clothe their children. It may be of huge significance where members of the armed forces lay down their lives for our freedom. Each sacrifice we make is a kind of death to our wants, desires, and sometimes to our lives.
Christians believe that Jesus’s sacrifice in laying down his life for all human beings was the greatest possible sacrifice because it was of eternal significance. Jesus died for us, forgiving our sin so that we could be reconciled to God and have a relationship with him forever. Through his death, Jesus restores, renews, and reconciles.
If you ever feel that you are not loved, look at the cross and remember that Jesus went through all that for you – that’s how much he loves you. Through Jesus’s death, we can have confidence in his love and know that if he is for us, who or what could possibly be against us (Romans 8: 31-39).
Because we can trust Jesus enough to die for us, we can now live for him. Because we know just how much Jesus loved us when he laid his life down, we can lay our lives down for others. It won’t be easy; it will involve sacrifice, even dying to our own wants, needs and desires, but it will be worth it.
Prayer
Loving Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, who died for our sins and rose again. Through his sacrifice, we find forgiveness and hope. Grant us strength to follow him and live lives worthy of your love. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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Study by: Barry Robinson About the author: |
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Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church