“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJV.
Jesus’ redemptive life was given for all others’ salvation.
My thoughts and comments today are about “the ultimate sacrifice.”
On this day, America pauses to honor our military veterans who have honorably and sacrificially served to protect our country and preserve our freedoms across subsequent generations. Gratefully, we also acknowledge those men and women who presently serve in our Armed Forces, as well as the practical sacrifices made by their families.
On a personal note, I remember and honor my uncle Ralph, who served in the United States Marines, and fought in the battle for Guadalcanal in World War ll. He was the eldest of my paternal grandparents’ three sons and daughter. I was just months old when my uncle died in battle so except for my Dad’s conversations in later years and a fading picture of a young Marine in uniform, I never knew him. As a young boy, I remember that his name was always mentioned with pride and respect, yet with a note of sadness. To the innumerable others who suffered the horrors of war or made the sacrifice of irreplaceable lives, there remains a debt of honor and gratitude too incalculable to repay.
On this and every day, let us not forget another sacrifice more notable than all, a Savior whose sacrifice of life is truly incomparable. Read John 15:12-13 NIV. “For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive [resurrected] by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 NIV. John wrote, “God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:8-10 NIV. See John 3:16-18 NIV. A lifetime is too brief to fully comprehend the personal relevance of an ultimate sacrifice for which there is no parallel.
In amazement, Paul wrote that the righteous Son of God would be the price and pardon for the sins of unrighteous men and women. “Christ Jesus, being in very nature God . . [yet] taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:6-8 NIV. Jesus’ life was not taken by another; His redemptive life was given for all others.
Such a holy sacrifice is the recurring theme of the Apostle Paul, “Christ died for the ungodly . . God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:6-10.
Those words are too profound and powerful to read and then hurry on. Slowly and deliberately, consider such incomprehensible truth. “If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Such depth of truth deserves prayerful reflection, humble acceptance, and joyous praise. Reconciled to God by Jesus’ death, we are, “saved by His life.” I would not presume to know the full extent of that promise. This I know; His life in me is “the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27. With childlike simplicity, I merely embrace its truth and praise God for His promise.
Today, my prayer for you is to know and regard the price Jesus paid for your redemption.