Who Gave Himself

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,  to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5

“I lay down my life for the sheep… I lay down my life… of my own accord.” John 10:15,17-18

“Christ Jesus,.. though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

“Christ appeared as a high priest [and] entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption… Through the eternal Spirit [he] offered himself without blemish to God.” Hebrews 9:11-12,14

God sent His Son Jesus to earth, Jesus gave Himself for us. He gave His glory up for a season to take on flesh. He gave His time and attention as a man to know God and to present God to man. He gave His years training disciples in godliness to lead the church, and His hours teaching God’s holy word, and His moments investing in people to save them forever. He gave His heartbeat for the lost, His love to sinners, His life as full penalty for sins to deliver His children from the evils of our age and seal us forever.

“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.” ~Elvina M. Hall (1865)

Once all Jesus gave is applied to our souls and determination, we are not the same. We no longer live to please the flesh, but desire to give our all for the Christ who saved us. We’re free to obey in the Spirit and live for righteousness, to think selflessly and behave generously, to love others as we’ve been loved. Do these describe our passion and practices? (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; 4:9; 5:1,13-14,16,22-25)

“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.” ~Isaac Watts (1707)

What do I willingly give of my time and resources for God’s honor and work? Where am I spending myself for the sake of the gospel? How willing am I to lay down my life for my brothers, my comfort for selfless service, my inclinations for preferring others? What am I giving of my prayers, efforts, material goods, attention, and care, for others in His name? What am I holding back that the Spirit is nudging me to release? How will I this day give myself anew for Him? (1 John 3:16)

My Lord, in gratitude for Your gifts of life laid down and life bestowed, may I give my all for the sake and glory of You alone.