And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27-28 NKJV
When we were doomed to destruction for sin, Jesus ransomed us, by giving his life on the cross. He died so we could have eternal life. How can we repay him? In reality, we cannot.
The most perfect man, who deservedly sat at the right hand of God, came down from his throne, to suffer for us. His sole purpose in coming, was to suffer and die to redeem us.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NIV
It is also written:
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28 NIV
Our Lord was tortured, spit upon, mocked, and completely rejected more than any other! He loved us so much that he allowed himself to suffer all this, for us.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20NIV
We were ransomed, bought for a price. Our Lord could just as easily NOT suffered for us, but we know that is NOT his true nature or character. He loves us too much!
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 1 Corinthians 7:23 NIV
Knowing he was going back to the Father, He left us with many key commands and instructs.
He said:
“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15 NIV
He also said:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV
Let us follow this and his other commands, for these were his last desires for us before going to the cross.
‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26-27 NIV
One of the last prayers he lifted, before being arrested that last night was this:
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24
He is worthy!
Since we are not worthy, what can we do?
Live for HIM! Then we will live with HIM!
Barnabas
Special thanks to Barnabas for this guest submission.