Self-sacrificing Love BY Malusi Skunyana
Read John 15:13 and Philippians 2:5-8
JOHN 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
PHI 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
PHI 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
PHI 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
PHI 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The cross of Calvary speaks to us of Jesus’ self-sacrificing love, it tells us that He did not find heaven a place to be desired while were still lost, but He left all in order to save us. Because of His great sacrifice, because He laid down His life for us that we might live, we have hope and a blessed assurance that we shall live eternally. We need often to contemplate this wonderful sacrifice of Jesus that bought our salvation.
In John 15:13 Jesus declares that no one has greater love than that of laying down his life for his friends. By this powerful statement, He drew attention to His death, which He would die at the cross in order to save the world. Here we behold a love that is unparalleled, a love that loves the undeserving and the unlovable; this is the love of Jesus. Jesus loves the sinner so much that He gave up His life in order to save him.
In Philippians 2:5-8 Paul draws a vivid picture of Jesus’ great sacrifice for us. Jesus, who was verily God and was equal with God from eternity, emptied Himself and came to this world as a human being. He stepped down from His throne and took upon Himself the nature of man. Men were helpless and could not save themselves from sin, and so the Son of God humbled himself and took on a new identity as a human being so that in our humanity He might reach out and lift us up from the pit of sin. Even as a human being, Jesus continued to humble Himself to the point of death. He became poor, He was despised and rejected, and finally He died the death of shame, all in order to lift up the fallen and save the lost.
Jesus really became human and went through all our experiences; He understands human nature and sympathizes with us. We can rejoice that by living our life and dying our death Jesus has made it possible for us to live a life free from sin and finally to have eternal life. In all our struggles in this world, we may come out victorious through the power that Jesus gives us. By His life and death and resurrection, Jesus has uplifted humanity and has initiated a process of restoration, which will restore the complete image of God in the believer. Now we who were once enemies with God are reconciled with Him and are born again as children of God.
Dear friend, we need to appreciate the great sacrifice of Jesus in leaving His exalted position in heaven to live a lowly life in this world, and finally to die a death of shame on our behalf. The sacrifice of Jesus tells us of God’s great love for undeserving sinners. His love is a power that can transform our lives and make us new people. God sees value in us, to Him we are not worthless but have great value, we were bought with the precious blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus has made it possible for us to have a direct access to the throne of God, and He invites us to draw near the throne of grace that we may find mercy and receive grace to help us in our time of need. In all our battles, we are never alone, He who died for us is with us, and through Him, victory is certain. Allow Him to be your Saviour today, let Him in your heart and let Him transform your life. May the Almighty God continue to pour His blessings upon you! Amen!
