Read: Romans five:7–viii   Just God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Imagine you lot were given the option of saving someone'due south life by taking their place. Would you practice it? Would you lay downwardly your life for them?

If the person to be saved was a family member, perhaps we would more readily exchange places. Or nosotros might agree if it was a friend—for Jesus said, "Greater beloved has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John xv:xiii). What if it were a stranger, or a casual acquaintance like the postman, barber, or petrol station attendant? Near people would not be willing to substitution places. But who would lay down his life if the human were an enemy? Probably no one. (One may in fact secretly rejoice that 1'southward enemy is going to get his simply reward. Or, at all-time, complain "tough luck" and remain indifferent.)

That cross was not just for Barabbas, simply for Everyman. It was your cross and mine. Jesus took your identify and mine.

How about Jesus? Scripture tells u.s. that information technology is rare that anyone would die for a good and righteous human. "Simply God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were all the same sinners, Christ died for u.s." (Romans v:seven–eight). Christ died for the ungodly—even Barabbas, whose name means "son of a father"; a generic name that can exist practical to every i of united states of america. Nosotros all have sinned and become ungodly. Jesus did much more than die for family or friends. He died for the ungodly, for His enemies; and Scripture says that human beings have a listen that makes them enemies of God (Colossians 1:21). Jesus did not merely die for one enemy named Barabbas, only for the whole Barabbas race. He exchanged His place for all our fatal places.

That cross was not just for Barabbas, but for Lowest. It was your cross and mine. Jesus took your place and mine. We should forever be thankful to the One who laid down His life for each of u.s.a.. Life should exist lived in worshipful gratitude to the Lamb of God who, on His own accordance, took our place.

Frequently, we tend to overestimate our dear for Jesus. Jesus told His disciples "Y'all are my friends" (John fifteen:14), merely after declaring that a true friend would lay downwardly his life for his friends. Jesus demonstrated His friendship by dying not merely for His friends, but also His worst enemies. He now asks us, "Are y'all my friend? Will you lay downward your life for me?"

Peter confidently declared he would do so. Jesus, knowing Peter's weak, impulsive ways, asked him, "Will you really lay downwards your life for me?" (thirteen:37–38). Subsequent failure helped Peter to step towards maturity and be restored to a new level of discipleship (21:15–19).

Jesus demonstrated His friendship by dying not just for His friends, simply likewise His worst enemies. He now asks us, "Are y'all my friend? Will yous lay down your life for me?"

Will we lay down our lives for Jesus? The early martyrs said "yes" with their lives. Afterwards, the desert monks said "yep" when they gave upwardly everything to follow Jesus. Later still, missionaries said "yes" when they left security and home to canvas to distant lands to preach the gospel. Today nosotros face the same challenge in our daily lives—in our homes, workplaces, churches, and neighbourhoods. Information technology calls for the decease of self and the brandish of beloved that is willing to lay downwardly life (making plush and painful sacrifices) for family, friends, strangers, and even enemies.

Jesus taught u.s.a. to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and His follower Paul was willing to exchange (if it were possible) blessings for curses for the sake of his beau Jews (Romans 9:iii). The way of the cross is indeed paved with such self-giving love—found in Christ who wants to live in the states.

Consider this:

Would you exist willing to lay down your life to save someone else? Go through a list of family unit, friends, acquaintances, boyfriend Christians, and enemies. For whom amidst these would y'all be willing to die? Why? Why not the others?

Excerpted and adjusted from Apprenticed to Jesus: Learning from Him, Living like Him past Robert G. Solomon. © 2014 past Robert M. Solomon. Used by permission of Armour Publishing. All rights reserved.

Related Resources:

The Ability of the Cross. Examine the impact of the crucifixion of Jesus on the centurion at the cross. Find insights to help you truly know Jesus through the power of His sacrifice. Find out more hither.