The God Who Died

No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.

John 10:18 (CEV)

A father sacrifices his perfect son so that his other kids don’t have to suffer the punishment for what they did wrong? That might seem messed up.

But that’s not the full story.

Jesus tried several times to explain to his disciples what would soon happen to him. In John 10, he compares himself to a good shepherd who loves and cares for the sheep.

Jesus was not just a good man who was willing to do the right thing for the sake of others. No, Jesus and God are one—the same person. And Jesus volunteered. He decided to die for us even before he was sent to Earth.

Jesus chose to take on all the punishment for our thoughtless and rebellious sin. He put the guilt, the shame, the ugliness on himself. He died the awful death we deserved.

Why would he do such a thing? Because of a love for us that is so great, so deep, so full, so perfect. So, when we think of his death on the cross, remember it’s not just a death or a tragic loss. Rather, we’re watching God, as a human being, step forward to sacrifice himself and then have the power to come back from the grave. And that makes all the difference.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Write out the words from today’s verse that stick out to you, and as you do, spend some time praying through those words.

INSPIRATION

“The Gospel is that Jesus Christ came to Earth, lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died.”

—Timothy Keller, American pastor and author from New York City

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Isaiah 53:4–6

Isaiah 53:11–12

Matthew 26:53–54

Philippians 2:6–8