Robert E Rasmussen.com

 Jesus died a sacrificial death at Golgotha.

In Gethsemane, Jesus surrendered His will to God’s salvation plan, a plan which required the suffering and death of Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus repeatedly said that His sacrifice was given willingly, “I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:15b). And again,

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:17-18).

The greatest expression of love brought about this greatest spiritual transaction of time and eternity.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

No human can possibly fathom the magnitude of the work which the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – were accomplishing during those hours of crucifixion. The Bible tells of a horrendous and merciful exchange in which Jesus took upon Himself the sin of the entire world:

“For He [God the Father] made Him who knew no sin [God the Son] to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).

Even as the righteous Son of God bore our punishment, we receive His purity if we will simply place our trust in Him.

When the debt of our sin had been fully paid, Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30)! In His final act of relinquishment, Jesus said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’” (Luke 23:46).

Maybe, in eternity, Jesus will allow us to see into the glory of His sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. Maybe we will be able to comprehend, even in the smallest way, what holy joy there was when in the merging of human and divine Jesus knew the curse had been fully born, and He could cry out in victory, “It is finished.” And just maybe we will be unable to contain our admiration and gratitude when we glimpse His relief at casting Himself into the welcoming embrace of the Father. He had anticipated since the fall of mankind to finally commit His spirit back to God, having completed His work.

 SUMMARY: The Marker of Sacrifice

1. Event in Jesus’ experience: Crucifixion at Golgotha
2. How Jesus led: Death
3. Your task: Follow Jesus in sacrifice
4. Key phrase: “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’” (Luke 23:46).
5. Key verses: Luke 23:26-49; John 10:14-18; John 12:24-26; Gal. 2:20
6. The symbol: The Cross