WTKM  Devotion “Why did Jesus have to die?”

Tuesday:  March 30, 2010

Reason 2:  To Show His Own Love for Us?

This is the week leading up to Easter Sunday.  This Friday is known as “Good Friday?”  Have you ever wondered why the day in which Jesus’ death is remembered is called “Good Friday?”  Like most of you I remember the day in which my loved ones and friends died.  But I certainly don’t call it a “good” day.

Hi, I’m Pastor Jeff Schimp of Glacier Hills Bible Church here in Hartford, WI.  The day in which Jesus died is remembered as “Good Friday” because the death of Jesus Christ was for our good.  The death of Jesus was not an accident or a mistake or the result of circumstances.  It was as I shared yesterday because God loved us and sent His Son Jesus to meet our need of a Savior.  Jesus died to show us the love of God.

Today I want to share from the Bible another reason for the death of Jesus.  It is that Jesus Christ Himself might show us His Own love for us.  Listen to these words from the Bible:

“…Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

The Bible (God’s Word to us) makes it very clear that Jesus Christ gave up His life for us because He loved us.  His death was not the result of cruel circumstances.  He willingly and purposely came into this world (our world) to live among us and then to give His life for us.

The Apostle Paul the writer of the New Testament book of Galatians says it this way:

“[He] the loved me and gave Himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20

Jesus Christ came into the world because I had a need for a Savior.  It is my sin that had cut me off from God.  So the sufferings of Jesus Christ upon that Cross had everything to do with me.  He loved me enough to see my need and then to give His life for me.

This is the need of every single human being that has ever or will ever live upon this earth.  Jesus Christ loved us and gave His life for us.  He now gives us the opportunity to either accept or reject His love.   In the Bible we read these words, “To all who receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God “  John 1:12 .

Let me personalize this a bit.  Look into your own heart.  Have you accepted the Love Jesus Christ has for you by inviting Him into your life?  Do you know for certain that when you die  you will spend eternity in heaven with Him?  The message of Good Friday is that because of Jesus’ death we can know.  That’s why Jesus had to die.

I’d like to help you more if you have questions.  You can find contact information at www.Glacierhillschurch.org You can also find more information about our Good Friday and Easter Services at Glacier Hills Bible Church.

May God bless you and may you know that Jesus Christ died for you because He loves you.  Have a good day!

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