1.5 Crucified for Us
The Ultimate Sacrifice: God’s Love Revealed on the Cross

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate expression of God’s undeserved, unconditional love. It shows that His love knows no bounds and that He was willing to pay the highest price to heal the broken relationship between humanity and God. However, this gift requires our free choice to accept it.

1. God’s Love Despite Rejection

As described in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet and in Matthew 23:37, Christ wanted to save His people, but many were not willing to accept His invitation. This highlights the deep tragedy of human freedom: God’s love is offered, but it is not forced.

• For Us: We have the freedom to reciprocate or reject God’s love. However, this freedom makes the acceptance of His grace all the more precious. It is our responsibility to respond to His invitation with an open heart.

2. The Cross as a Sign of Inexhaustible Love

Christ went to the cross even though many rejected Him and were not willing to be saved. This act shows that God’s love does not wait for our worthiness or response. It is a free gift based solely on His loving nature.

• For Us: We must remember that God’s love seeks us not because of our perfection but despite our flaws. The cross demonstrates that God’s love is greater than any sin.

3. The Freedom to Love

The parable and Christ’s lament over Jerusalem emphasize that love can only exist in freedom. God forces no one to love Him or accept His grace. This freedom is a gift, but it also brings responsibility.

• For Us: Our relationship with God is not coercive but a conscious decision. Knowing that Christ loves us despite rejection should inspire us to reciprocate this love willingly and live in gratitude.

4. The Cross as Hope and Comfort

The cross reminds us that God does not give up on us in our brokenness and sin. He paid the price to redeem us and invites us into a deep, healing relationship with Him.

• For Us: The cross gives us hope that no situation is hopeless. It offers comfort in difficult times because it shows that God’s love is strong in our weakness.

Conclusion

Christ’s crucifixion is a call to recognize and respond to God’s love. It reminds us that we are free to choose Him and that this choice transforms our lives. The cross is an eternal sign of God’s immeasurable love, calling us to accept it, reciprocate it, and reflect it in our lives.

Read John 10:17–18. Compare with Galatians 2:20. What is the message of these texts for us?

The texts in John 10:17–18 and Galatians 2:20 reveal a central truth about God’s love and salvation plan: Christ willingly gave His life for us to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity. This voluntary devotion is not only a sign of God’s love but also an invitation to lead our lives in gratitude and devotion.

1. Voluntary Devotion: Expression of Divine Love

In John 10:17–18, Jesus explains that no one takes His life away, but He lays it down willingly. This freedom underscores that the cross was not a random or forced sacrifice but a conscious act of love.

• For Us: Jesus’ devotion shows that God’s love is not driven by external circumstances or compulsion. He chose to love and redeem us even before we existed. Knowing that this love comes from free will gives us security and hope.

2. Living in the Power of the Cross

In Galatians 2:20, Paul writes that he has been “crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” This statement connects Christ’s sacrifice with the believer’s life: those who accept this love are transformed by it.

• For Us: The cross is not just a past event but a living reality that changes our lives. When Christ lives in us, His love influences our decisions, behavior, and relationships.

3. The Plan of Redemption: An Expression of Divine Faithfulness

Redemption was not an afterthought but part of God’s plan from the beginning. This shows that God always has a way of love and salvation for us, regardless of our mistakes.

• For Us: God’s provision for redemption shows that He never surprises us or abandons us. Even in difficult times, we can trust that God has a plan shaped by love and grace.

4. Our Response: Living in Devotion and Trust

These texts call us to respond to God’s love by dedicating our lives to Him. Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20 invite us to abandon our ego and surrender our lives to Christ, who died out of love for us.

• For Us: Our daily challenge is to remember that we have a new life in Christ. This truth should encourage us to live in gratitude, trust, and devotion.

Conclusion                          

John 10:17–18 and Galatians 2:20 demonstrate the depth of God’s love and His sovereign plan to save us. Christ gave His life out of free will for us, and this act is a call to lead our lives with gratitude and devotion. This message invites us to realign ourselves daily, living in the power and love of the crucified and resurrected Christ.

The message of the cross, that Christ willingly gave His life out of love, is not only a central point of our faith but also a call for how we should shape our lives. This truth has concrete implications for our daily lives and our relationship with God.

1. God’s Love as the Foundation of Our Lives

The cross shows that we are deeply loved by God—not because of our achievements but despite our weaknesses. This unconditional love gives our lives value and purpose.

• In Daily Life: This knowledge helps us maintain our self-worth independent of external circumstances or others’ opinions. It encourages us to remember that we are infinitely valuable in God’s eyes, especially during tough times.

• In Faith: Understanding God’s love strengthens our trust and motivates us to respond to this love with gratitude.

2. The Freedom to Decide

As the Parable of the Wedding Banquet and Jesus’ words show, God’s love is an offer that we must willingly accept. Our acceptance of this love is reflected in our dedication to Christ.

• In Daily Life: This decision is reflected in our priorities, how we spend our time, and how we treat others. Our actions demonstrate whether we have accepted God’s invitation.

• In Faith: It is a daily process to consciously involve God in our decisions and align our lives with His love.

3. The Cross as a Source of Hope and Strength

Christ’s sacrifice reminds us that no sin, failure, or situation is too great for God’s love. The cross is a symbol of hope that redemption and healing are possible even in the darkest hour.

• In Daily Life: This hope helps us persevere through crises or difficult times. It strengthens our trust that God always has a plan for our lives.

• In Faith: The cross encourages us to lay our worries and fears at God’s feet, knowing that He is fighting for us and carrying us.

4. Living in Devotion and Gratitude

Paul describes in Galatians 2:20 that he has been “crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This attitude of complete devotion is a model for our daily lives.

• In Daily Life: Devotion is shown through a lifestyle based on love, humility, and service to others. It means consciously using our talents and resources to make God’s love visible in the world.

• In Faith: Gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice inspires us to live a life that reflects His grace—whether through prayer, worship, or how we manage our relationships.

Conclusion

The cross is not only a symbol of our redemption but also an invitation to lead our lives daily in the light of God’s love. It reminds us that our relationship with God is based on His voluntary devotion and that we can respond to this love with trust, gratitude, and dedication. In our daily lives, this means living in the power of the cross, finding hope in difficulties, and making God’s love visible in all our actions.

The cross shows us that true love involves sacrifice—God’s voluntary devotion invites us to live in gratitude and dedication.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-1-god-loves-freely-1-5-crucified-for-us-the-god-of-love-and-justice-living-faith/

January 2, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – 2 Corinthians Chapter 7

¹ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

² Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

³ I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

⁴ Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

⁵ For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

⁶ Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

⁷ And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

⁸ For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

⁹ Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

¹⁰ For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

¹¹ For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

¹² Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

¹³ Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

¹⁴ For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

¹⁵ And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

¹⁶ I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

Chapter 7 of the Second Corinthians letter reveals the deep emotional and spiritual connections between Paul and the Corinthian church. It addresses the path of repentance that leads to sanctification and renewal. Paul emphasizes the power of divine sorrow, which leads to repentance and ultimately to joy. His words reflect both pastoral care and the hope for mutual growth in grace.

Commentary

Purification and Sanctification (Verse 1)
Paul begins the chapter with a call to sanctification. He urges the believers to cleanse themselves from every defilement of the flesh and spirit to advance in the fear of God. This exhortation serves as a reminder that God’s promises come with not only encouragement but also responsibility. Sanctification is an active process that encompasses our entire being.

Paul’s Sincerity (Verses 2-4)
Paul emphasizes that he has never hurt or exploited the Corinthians. This statement underscores his pure motivation and deep love for the church. His joy and comfort amidst trials demonstrate how closely he is connected to the congregation.

The Power of Divine Sorrow (Verses 5-10)
A central theme of the chapter is the distinction between divine and worldly sorrow. Divine sorrow leads to repentance and thus to salvation, while worldly sorrow leads to death. This passage emphasizes that true repentance is a divine grace that purifies character and leads to a renewed life.

The Testimony of the Church (Verses 11-13)
The Corinthians’ response to Paul’s letter of admonition shows that they have embraced divine sorrow. Their zeal, responsibility, and purity in the matter attest to their seriousness and dedication to God. Paul is pleased that the relationship between him and the church has been restored.

Joy Over Titus’ Report (Verses 14-16)
Paul is exceedingly grateful for Titus’ report about the Corinthians. Their obedience and warm reception of Titus demonstrate their willingness to grow in faith. This mutual encouragement strengthens Paul and affirms his hope in the good within the church.

Summary

The chapter illustrates how divine sorrow and the resulting repentance can lead to profound renewal. It underscores the importance of sanctification, sincerity in relationships, and mutual comfort within the church. Paul’s words testify to the transformative power of the Gospel, which can change not only individual hearts but also communities.

 

 

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 84—“Peace Be Unto You”
This chapter is based on Luke 24:33-48; John 20:19-29.
Read online here

 

Commentary

Introduction

The chapter “Peace be with you!” describes the events following the resurrection of Jesus, where He appears to the disciples, strengthens their faith, and brings them peace. It is based on the accounts in Luke 24:33-48 and John 20:19-29. These encounters reveal the deep mercy and patience of Jesus towards His disciples, who, despite His repeated teachings, struggled to comprehend His resurrection.

Commentary

The appearances of Jesus after His resurrection are marked by a message of peace, forgiveness, and new life. Jesus unexpectedly enters the midst of the disciples and greets them with the words “Peace be with you!” This greeting reflects the core message of the Gospel: reconciliation with God and inner peace despite external uncertainty. By showing them His pierced hands and feet, He strengthens their faith by answering doubt with the reality of His resurrection.

A key message of this chapter is that Jesus approaches the doubters with love and patience, as in the case of Thomas. Thomas, who reacts skeptically to the reports of the others, receives exactly the evidence he demands from Jesus. However, Jesus gently admonishes that greater blessings await those who believe without seeing. This is an invitation to trust, even when not all questions are answered.

Furthermore, the chapter emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus breathes into the disciples to prepare them for their mission. Without the Spirit of God, they are unable to preach the forgiveness of sins and spread the Gospel to the world. The gift of the Holy Spirit is essential to continue Christ’s work.

Summary

The chapter “Peace be with you!” demonstrates Jesus’ loving manner in renewing the faith of His disciples, dispelling their doubts, and preparing them for their mission. His words and actions after the resurrection call for finding peace and faith, even when external evidence is lacking. The disciples were equipped with the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and sent out to share this message with the world. This chapter reminds us that Jesus meets every doubt with patience and love and that the Holy Spirit is the key to serving in His name.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/2-1-2025-2-corinthians-chapter-7-believe-his-prophets/