The Significance of The Sacrifice

Why was the sacrifice on the cross so important and necessary for humanity? There is Jesus, the son of God. There is the cross. But there is also the sacrifice. Of  course, we can never speak of the sacrifice without mentioning Jesus or the cross, but by understanding the sacrifice we can better understand the meaning of cross.

If you are a Christian, more than likely, you will nod your head and say, “Yes, I know the significance. Jesus died to save the world.”  You may even add that, “He died to save me from my sins.” That’s true!  However, the question of the significance is still unanswered. I never thought much about the sacrifice itself until, around spring of 2016, a friend called and asked me, “What is the significance of the sacrifice?” At first I had a jumbled explanation. Then after failing, I said, “Let me get back to you with proper answers to this question.”  On May 6^th, 2016, I listed somethings the Bible highlighted as part of the significance.

Today, I will share those with you and I pray that the Holy Spirit will use this as a vehicle to transport you on a journey into deeper understanding of what He did and why He did, what He did for you at the Cross.

1. It’s a matter of Perpetuity: Just imagine a container that can hold all the sands of the sea, that was, is and will be.  The Creator is like that container. Add up all human life that was, is and will be, and you fill find that Jesus’ life is greater than the sum total of ALL human life.  He is the life (John 14: 6), meaning He is the perpetual source. It’s like, He’s the electric powerhouse, life-giving. Destroy the powerhouse and everything connected to it dies. Electrify the powerhouse and everything connected is powered and empowered. Therefore, His death is sufficient to pay for every soul, His resurrection is sufficient to grant everyone eternal life.
2. It’s a matter of Passion:  Unlike our typical associations, the cross is a compelling statement of passion. “Greater love hath no man than this” (John 15: 13). Genuine love requires of the lover a prodigious price. The Creator’s desire to experience pure love outweighed the cost of such experience. In other words, God knew that reaching the zenithal peak where He and His creation can exchange untainted love, would cost Him the brutal death of His son. He knew that it would be a colossal cost to us; suffering of every sort. But, in the end it would be worth more than what it costs to experience such love.
3. It’s a matter of Permanence: Jesus cannot retreat to being only divine. He is human and God forever (Col 2: 9). That’s significant! Besides, what He did at the Cross is done, there was no turning back. That’s why He said, “It is finished” (John 19: 30). Another reason, is that when Jesus was about to die, He knew that the task is done;  it is complete and is completed. Then He gave up the ghost.
4. It’s a matter of  Purpose: Growth occurs when death surrenders. Christ died to fulfill His purpose. Thereby, granting every being spiritual rebirth and spiritual purpose. Anyone, who comes to the Lord, must come through the acknowledgement of this sacrifice. In addition, those who seek to find their true self and purpose must first find Christ. We know all too well, the analogy of the seed, it must die to become something else. Who we are as seeds, and what we need to do to become plants is the path, all humanity is searching for. And, Jesus already said, “[He is] the way” (John 14: 6).
5. It’s a matter of Piety: Jesus fully devoted His life to His Father and His purpose. In addition, dying for someone else, is the noblest form of humility and self denial. One of our highest calling and greatest challenge is dying to self and giving God full control of our life. Picture Abraham getting ready to sacrifice Isaac. God gave us that illustration centuries ago, to help us understand what it means to deny self, and live in utter obedience to Him, no matter the consequences.
6. It’s a matter of Poise : Jesus died a graceful death, down to His last breath. “Forgive them,” He cried out His Father, “for they know not what they do“(Luke 23: 34). Faith gave Jesus such poise. What if Jesus never believed that God would raise Him up from the dead? Humanity would be doomed. Jesus’ journey through the streets of Jerusalem was a journey of poise, grounded in faith. His death demonstrates the ultimate test of loyalty, the greatest victory over fear, and the highest representation of faith.
7. It’s a matter of Preference: From the foundation of the world, God gave humanity choice. He knew that choice is a killer, but it is also a giver of life. Christ’s sacrifice is the representation of conforming human will ( our right to choose) with the Divine. Jesus could have said no, but He said yes. He prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt 26: 39). Jesus choose, what His Father choose.
8. It’s a Personal matter: Jesus’ sacrifice is the only one that is simultaneously universal and unique to every type of sin, every type of circumstance and every type of person. What his death means to me, will never mean the same to you, but it represents the same to everyone.
9. It’s a matter of Priesthood. He is our intercessor, period. He created you, knows all about you and is “dying” to save you. Sitting on the right hand of God, all He’s doing is whispering your name to the Father, “save her, save him.”
10. It’s a matter of Perfection.  Jesus didn’t just come to die, He also came to live a life that demonstrates, perfect love, perfect forgiveness, perfect faith, the perfect path and perfect obedience. No wonder Pilate says, “I find no fault in this man” (Luke 23:4).

The premise is set by Jesus. He wants us to give him first preference and live a life of poise, passion, piety, and purpose. He’s our priest; He will take care of our downfalls. All he  wants you to do is accept the sacrifice, follow his footsteps and rise to perfection.

John 1: 14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”