As I read this verse recently, it made me wonder if there isn’t more to it than what I typically think of. Clearly, Jesus came and served and gave His life for us (thank you Lord!). But when Jesus says He gave “His life”, I wonder if it doesn’t mean even more than the amazing effort He put forth at the Cross – as in His entire earthly life was a gift to us.
Think about this: Jesus stepped down from His Throne in Heaven to come into our broken world – one that He spoke into existence. It was a beautiful and good creation that we then summarily screwed up. He then spent over 30 years around damaged and disturbed (i.e. average) people, and did so without sinning even once.
He walked with us, and He talked with us…. Okay, I won’t go there…. Actually yeah, I will… and He told us we were His own! I couldn’t just leave it hanging there…
He lived a perfect life, which was intended to be our perfect example. He went out of His way to show kindness, mercy, and love to the very worst society could throw at Him – Lepers, Prostitutes, Demon-possessed psychopaths.
In fact, pretty much the only humans that Jesus really had no patience for were the religious folks of that time - a.k.a. the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes. He called them vipers. He called them “whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”
But even this is an important lesson for us – a reminder not to focus on the rules and traditions that can slowly destroy and get in the way of the more important and healthy relationship we need with Him.
So when Jesus says He gave His life to ransom us – He did that and so much more! Every decision was Right. Every word spoken was Truth. Every action was done in Love.
Let us never cease to follow His perfect example!
#LoveMatters