Seeing Jesus Sacrifice With New Eyes

Over the years I’ve had a nagging question that has come to me again and again. What set Jesus apart from the other two men on crosses? The stereotypical responses of, well Jesus lived a sinless life and he was the son of God, come to my mind. But I always felt like there was something more to it. Some piece that was  missing from this puzzle. 

Why Cant I See The Big Picture

Have you ever felt like that? Like, the answer should be obvious to you, and yet you just can’t quite see the big picture. Maybe you too have felt like there was something more to this picture than what you have been taught. And you would be right.

I puzzled on this until, one day, as I was driving in my car, thinking, the pieces finally came together.

Jesus Is

Jesus is the son of God. He did live a sinless life. These things themselves should be more than enough for the sacrifice he made. Right?

Those other men on crosses, they made mistakes. Big ones, I imagine, being sentenced to death in such a long lingering way. But the question that tried to plant itself in my brain was; these other two men, they may not have lived a sinless life, but they shed their lives, their blood, shouldn’t that been enough to redeem them? 

God Can

Now, let me just break in there for a moment to say, I love how God can work and move in the most unlikely opportunities. Im guessing after reading my above question, you are thinking something along the lines of, thats from the devil. Trying to get you to doubt Gods plan. I am not going to disagree with you. But, do you know what the good news is? God can work anywhere, at any time, and in any circumstances. Even or maybe especially, when the devil tries to plant doubts in your mind.

How do I know this? Ive lived it. God used those intended doubts to lead me to the missing piece of this puzzle.

1. We know that Jesus is the only begotten son of God.
2. We know that Jesus lived a sinless life.

The Key lies with #1

We also need to know one more thing that sets Jesus apart. And the key to it lies with #1. Jesus is the only begotten son of God. We know that Jesus was born of a human mother. This made him a man. But we also know that Jesus was conceived of the holy ghost. this man him wholly God as well. The figure we think of when we think of Jesus on the cross is of his physical body on the cross dying. As were the two thieves. However, Jesus had something those other two thieves did not. He had a choice. Since Jesus was fully God, he had the power to get off the cross. 

In Luke 22:42 we see that as the time drew near, Jesus humanity was struggling, knowing what was coming. But even then He knew the plan, knew the price that he would pay. 

Jesus Made The Choice

Jesus choose to go up on that cross that day. Knowing the pain that his body would suffer. Jesus knew the cost. He knew the cost of every sin across time. He weighed that cost. He looked at his children and made the choice that we, you and I were worth that cost. He went up there on that cross. Even though, HE HAD the power to say no, even though, he had the power to get off that cross and walk away. Even though, HE HAD the power to kill everyone there in an instant. He played the satans game, and allowed him the think for one moment that he had won. That he had killed the only son of God. By the time the devil realized that He had been set up by the Creator of the universe, it was to late. Jesus CHOOSE to pay the price. For you, for me, for everyone.

Jesus Had The Power

Jesus had the power. He could have chosen to not go through with it. At any point, He could have said, forget it. You people arent worth all of this trouble and pain. He could have said, lets hit the reset and make some less troublesome creatures. But he didn’t. 

At The Cross

When Jesus went the cross he went:

1. As the only begotten son of God
2. As having lived a sinless life
3. As having made the decision to choose us. The choice to sacrifice himself, and to hold to that decision, no matter the cost. 

Jesus Has The Power

Jesus had the power to come down off that cross. He choose to stay there, knowing that He was innocent, knowing that we deserved death. He loves us so very much that He made that choice.

When I came to the realization of this, it was like that missing puzzle piece just snapped into place. That which the enemy devised for my downfall, once again became his. 

Eyes Anew

If you have been struggling with understanding how Jesus was so very set apart at the cross, I hope and pray that this will give you eyes anew to understand. And a heart renewed by the sacrifice He gave. If you have any thoughts or comments, any stories you would like to share, I would be happy to hear from you.