John 10:17,18 I Lay Down My Life
“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (NIV).
Jesus spoke these words immediately after He explained that He would be bringing in sheep from another sheepfold, so they apply to us Gentiles. Jesus laid His life down, and Jesus took it up again. He died on Calvary and He rose from the garden tomb. Our salvation, and the salvation for all the peoples of the world, lies within the words of that sentence. When He died, He took all of our sins, that’s right--all the sins of all of us to hell and left them there. While He was in that frightful place, He defeated satan in front of satan’s minions, and He brought us victory over death and sin. He paid the sin debt for ALL.
In John 10:17,18, Jesus makes it clear that He gave His life, no one took it from Him. He had great purpose in giving His life. By doing so He provided for salvation for every man, woman, and child who ever lived, lives, or will live on this planet. He also tells us in those two verses that He had authority to take His life up again. The authority to do both, give and take His life, was given to Him by Father God. “This command I received from my Father.”
Bottom line: Father God sent Jesus with the command to give Hs life and take it up again, and in doing that Jeus provided for the salvation of EVERYONE. The price has been paid. All we have to do is accept this gift of forgiveness and eternal life with God--Father, Son, Holy Spirit--will be guaranteed. The greatest “Christmas gift” was actually given on Easter! Receive this gift today, untie the ribbon, tear the paper off, open the box, and begin the joy of eternal life with Christ immediately.
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