Why Jesus Died
READ: John 17:1-11a
Have you ever seen the movie “The Bodyguard?” Well, if you haven’t, it’s about a guy who risked his own life so he could protect a singer from being harmed or killed. He did everything he could possibly think of to spare her life, in spite of the fact that she was undeserving.
Does that sound at all familiar to you? Well, it should. That’s what Jesus did for the entire world. Not only did He risk His life, but He lost it, because of us and our sinfulness. If it wasn’t for our sinful rebellion, Jesus wouldn’t have had to go through the things that He did to spare us from going to hell. You might think nothing of it, because of the number of times you’ve heard it; but the things that Jesus went through for our benefit were unbelievably torturous and painful. Jesus was betrayed by a friend and follower, made fun of, whipped, beaten and totally humiliated, not to mention hung from a cross with nails in his hands and feet to die, just so we could have the opportunity to go to heaven.
If you knew ahead of time that you would have to go through all of that, would you gladly and willingly do it to save other people, especially those who don’t even deserve it?
Well, Jesus did. He knew what was going to happen and what He would go through, and yet He didn’t beg His Father not to, or beg to see if there was any other way. He did it willingly, so we could have eternal life in heaven.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Which words in our text make it clear that both the Father and the Son desired our salvation? What kinds of responses are appropriate on our part?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Thank God for what Jesus has done for us. Thank Him for all of the other blessings we enjoy. Ask Him to be with you and help you realize what He has done for you, so you too can spread the Word to others.