Explore the profound sacrifice Jesus made for us, the exchange of heavenly riches for earthly rags, and the true wealth we possess in Christ.
Good morning, Church! I'm so excited to dive into the Word of God with you today. We're going to be spending some time in the book of John, specifically looking at John 3:13 and 6:51. These verses remind us of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us and the incredible exchange that took place because of it.
To get us started, I want to share a quote with you by A.W. Tozer, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One."
Now let's read our Scripture passages together.
John 3:13 says, "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man."
And then over in John 6:51, it reads, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Friends, these verses give us a vivid picture of Jesus' perfect sacrifice, the exchange of riches for rags, and our true riches in Christ.
Would you pray with me as we prepare to delve deeper into these truths?
Dear Lord, we thank You for Your Word and for the opportunity to gather and study it together. As we reflect on Your perfect sacrifice and the riches You have given us in Christ, open our hearts and minds to fully comprehend the magnitude of Your love for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Let's roll up our sleeves and dig into the Word, shall we?
The concept of Jesus' perfect sacrifice is a truth that is beautifully encapsulated in our first scripture reading, John 3:13, where we are reminded that Jesus, the Son of Man, is the only one who has ascended into heaven and descended from it. This verse underscores the unique position of Jesus, as both divine and human, and the unparalleled sacrifice He made for humanity.
The reality of His divinity and humanity: Jesus was not just a good man or a wise teacher; He was God in human form. He left the splendor of heaven, the perfection of divinity, to walk among us, to experience our struggles, our pains, and ultimately, our death. This is a sacrifice that no one else could make. It was a sacrifice that only the Son of God, who was without sin, could offer.
Its completeness: In the Old Testament, sacrifices were made to atone for sins, but these were temporary and had to be repeated. However, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was once and for all. Hebrews 10:10 tells us, "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." His sacrifice was sufficient to cover all our sins, past, present, and future. It was a perfect sacrifice because it was complete and final.
It was motivated by perfect love: John 3:16, a verse many of us know by heart, tells us that "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus' sacrifice was not an obligation or a duty; it was a demonstration of divine love. It was a love so deep, so wide, so high, that it led Him to lay down His life for us, even while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). This is a love that is beyond human comprehension, a love that is perfect in every way.
It’s reflected in its power: Through His sacrifice, Jesus conquered sin and death, breaking their power over humanity. His sacrifice opened the way for us to have a relationship with God, to be forgiven, and to have eternal life. This is a power that no other sacrifice could achieve. It is a power that is perfect because it brings complete victory and freedom.
A deeper appreciation of His love, His grace, and His mercy: We are reminded of the great cost of our salvation and the incredible value we have in God's eyes. It's a truth that should humble us, inspire us, and motivate us to live lives that honor Him.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about the impact of understanding Jesus' perfect sacrifice in your own life. How has knowing this changed how you live and behave?
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