For April 18, 2025
It was early Friday morning of Passover Week, and Jesus had not slept. Over the last few hours, He had transformed the Passover Seder into a commemorative Lord’s Supper, leaving behind a lasting institution that would continue throughout the ages.
Then, while in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas betrayed Him into the hands of corrupt religious leaders for a mere thirty pieces of silver. Unjustly condemned, He was hastily brought before Pilate, Herod Antipas, and Pilate once again and sentenced to death.
Yet before the final verdict, He endured horrendous suffering at the hands of
Roman soldiers who beat Him mercilessly and crucified Him on Calvary. Was Jesus a mere innocent victim, or was something far more profound taking place?
In Ezekiel 18:4, God tells us that every soul belongs to Him and that the penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23 repeats this truth, “The wages of sin is death.” To remedy sin’s curse, God established blood sacrifices to atone for human sin. (Leviticus 17:11).
As the Son of Man, Jesus knew that His death was part of God’s divine plan for our redemption as He foretold,
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him. For 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.
John 3:14-16 (NIV)
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, willingly chose to pay the price for your sins, past, present, and future, with His own precious blood. Although He had the power to forego the cross, He chose to embrace it for our benefit instead. Despite the brutal beatings, the mockery, and the crown of thorns, He continued to walk the path of suffering because of His great love for us,
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 (NIV)
Christ He chose to give His life, becoming the Perfect Intercessor between a holy God and sinful humanity, and He did this for us all of us.
Jesus knew that our sins stood between us and God. He took our place on the cross, bearing the wrath of God that we deserve. He did this so we could be forgiven, so we could have eternal life and peace with God. His love is immeasurable, and His grace transforms lives yet today.
If you have not yet accepted the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers, today is the day you can make that decision. Jesus died not just for the world but for you personally. Through His sacrifice, He offers forgiveness for your sins. All you have to do is believe in Him, ask Him for forgiveness, and invite Him into your life as your Savior and Lord,
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, gave His life so that we could live forever with Him. He did not come to condemn us, but to save us. We don’t have to carry the weight of sin any longer. He paid the price in full. Won’t you accept His free gift today?
Yes! Jesus, our Lord and Savior, chose to be the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world so that we could experience His abiding joy, peace, and great salvation today.
What a Wonderful Savior!