The Man Who Laid Down His Life for Us
Crucifixion was nothing new! Romans crucified many Jews, slaves and others. Giving one’s life for a righteous cause was nothing new. The righteous always suffered for righteousness and every faithful Jew was willing to die rather than disobey the law. During the Maccabean era (2 centuries before Jesus) many young Jews suffered and died as martyrs for the law – dying rather than to eat pork!
When the Romans first took the Temple in 63 CE the priests died at their posts, carrying on the routine of sacrifice rather than running for their lives. The Zealots in Jesus’ time were willing to endure any amount of torture rather than call Caesar their lord and the Romans crucified thousands of them.
In time past, the prophets were persecuted by their own leaders in Jerusalem for their criticism of Israel. By the time of Jesus the image of the prophet was being merged with that of the martyr, and legends had arisen about the sufferings and martyrdom of almost every prophet. “Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him” (Acts 7:52). See also Matthew. 23:29-37.
So what was different about the death of Jesus? And what kind of man was he who went to the cross?
Let’s take a look at Jesus’ attitude toward death. Like the righteous, he and his disciples would have to expect persecution. Like the Zealots they would have to be willing to take up their cross and be crucified. “And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). Jesus also said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:10-12).
Jesus presented death as a paradoxical riddle. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35). This same riddle that also is found in Matt. 10:39; Luke 14:26; John 12:25
It was meant to be a riddle! To save one’s life means to hold onto it, to love it, and be attached to it and therefore to fear death. To lose one’s life is to let go of it, to be detached from it and therefore to be willing to die. The paradox is that the person who fears death is already dead, whereas the person who has ceased to fear death has at that moment begun to live. A life that is genuine and worthwhile is only possible once one is willing to die.
Question: What should we be willing to die for? The Maccabean martyrs died for the law. The Zealots died to defend the sovereignty of Israel’s God. Other people have been willing to die for other causes.
But, JESUS DID NOT DIE FOR A CAUSE! He died for us!
He was willing to give up his life for the same reason he urged some to give up possessions, prestige, family and power – namely for others. Compassion and love compel people to do everything for others. The person who says he or she lives for others but is not willing to suffer and die for them is self-deceiving. Jesus was fully alive because he was willing to die and suffer not only for a cause but also for people!! “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
He died of his own free will. "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from me, but I lay it down on my own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. (John 10:17-18 NAS).
Jesus explained to Peter that Jesus himself was in complete control of the situation at all times. He told Peter to put away his sword after Peter cut off the ear of the servant to the high priest: "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 New American Standard).
Thus, it was not the lies, false witnesses, the Jews, the Romans, the illegal trial or any of the things people believe killed Jesus. He died voluntarily and this is expressed in the statement, “lay down” his life. John’s writings more than any other use this term. This very term in the Greek language means to do it voluntarily and with purpose.
Jesus willingness to die for all peoples is a SERVICE just as everything else in his life is a service, a service rendered to all people. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
A ransom is given to redeem or liberate others. To offer one’s life as a ransom is to be willing to die so that others might live. The words “for many” are a Hebrew and Aramaic expression that generally means “for everyone.” At His last supper: “And He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
JESUS WAS AWARE OF THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT HE WAS DOING AND SAYING. Herod had silenced John the Baptist, it was rumored that he wished to silence Jesus too (Luke 13:31-33). Jesus avoided dangerous situations but the time came and he decided to go to Jerusalem: (Mark 8:31; Luke 9:51; 13:33).
The gospels picture Jesus as a man who went to his death knowingly and willing ling. Jesus was a man of immense courage. It is difficult for us to imagine differing radically from almost everyone else – past and present, in an age when group conformity was the only measure of truth and virtue.
Yet Jesus disagreed without hesitation with doctors of the law and scribes. No tradition was too holy to question. No authority was too great to be contradicted. No assumption was too basic to be challenged.
Yet, Jesus did not oppose in a spirit of rebellion for the sake of rebellion or because he had a grudge against the world. He did so for the sake of truth and righteousness for people.
There are no traces of fear in Jesus. He was not afraid of creating a scandal or losing his reputation or even losing his life. Even John the Baptist was wondered by the way Jesus mixed socially with sinners and seemed to enjoy their company. And by his permissiveness with regard to the laws and by his apparent disregard for the seriousness of sin and by his free and easy way of treating God! God was our Father – Abba!
Jesus soon acquired a bad reputation: “a glutton and a drunkard” (Matthew 11:16-19). In terms of group solidarity – you are who you befriend—his friendship with sinners would classify him as a sinner. “Then again they called the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner” (John 9:24).
In an age when friendliness toward any woman outside one’s family could mean only one thing, his friendship with women and especially with prostitutes would have ruined whatever reputation he still had left. See Luke 7:39; John 4:27.
He didn’t even have the support of His family. They thought he was out of his mind. “When His own people (family) heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses." (Mark 3:21). “And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath (possessed by) Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casts he out devils” (Mark 3:22).
Jesus compromised nothing for the sake of even a bit of prestige in the eyes of others. He did not seek anyone’s approval not even the approval of John the Baptist! See Matt. 11:4-6. “Blessed is he whoever is not offended in me,” Jesus said to the disciples of John who came asking if He were the messiah or “should we look for another?”
Jesus’ integrity was never questioned. He was accused of being demon possessed, a drunkard, a glutton, a sinner, a blasphemer, but nobody ever accused him of being insincere or hypocritical. They did not accuse him of being afraid of what others might say or think about him.
His enemies used this very quality of his integrity to trap him. Nevertheless, it showed what type of reputation he had among them: “They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to whom they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’” (Mark 12:14).
In the end He was tried before Pilate for being “King of the Jews.” Lest we think Pilate was a wonderful man, let’s see what others thought of him. Philo writes of Pilate that he was “by nature inflexible, self-willed and hard.” He lists Pilate’s crimes as “bribery, tyranny, pillage, violence, calumny, constant execution without passing a verdict, and endless insufferable cruelty.”
Jesus spoke of Pilate’s cruel acts: “Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1). The act that later got Pilate recalled to Rome was the slaughter of a group of Samaritans on Mt. Gerizim who were merely searching for sacred vessels.
So, the man who died for the sins of the world was a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” We did not esteem him. All of us forsook him and he had no attractiveness about him that we should desire him. But God laid on Him the sins of us all. (See Isaiah 53).
Jesus died voluntarily to express God’s love for us! "For God so loved the world, that he gave (up) his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16-17). “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
I hope that you and I never deny our Lord and Savior as so many have over the centuries. Let’s have the courage of our convictions as much as Jesus did who laid down his life for us!!
David L. Antion for Guardian Ministries
When the Romans first took the Temple in 63 CE the priests died at their posts, carrying on the routine of sacrifice rather than running for their lives. The Zealots in Jesus’ time were willing to endure any amount of torture rather than call Caesar their lord and the Romans crucified thousands of them.
In time past, the prophets were persecuted by their own leaders in Jerusalem for their criticism of Israel. By the time of Jesus the image of the prophet was being merged with that of the martyr, and legends had arisen about the sufferings and martyrdom of almost every prophet. “Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him” (Acts 7:52). See also Matthew. 23:29-37.
So what was different about the death of Jesus? And what kind of man was he who went to the cross?
Let’s take a look at Jesus’ attitude toward death. Like the righteous, he and his disciples would have to expect persecution. Like the Zealots they would have to be willing to take up their cross and be crucified. “And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). Jesus also said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:10-12).
Jesus presented death as a paradoxical riddle. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35). This same riddle that also is found in Matt. 10:39; Luke 14:26; John 12:25
It was meant to be a riddle! To save one’s life means to hold onto it, to love it, and be attached to it and therefore to fear death. To lose one’s life is to let go of it, to be detached from it and therefore to be willing to die. The paradox is that the person who fears death is already dead, whereas the person who has ceased to fear death has at that moment begun to live. A life that is genuine and worthwhile is only possible once one is willing to die.
Question: What should we be willing to die for? The Maccabean martyrs died for the law. The Zealots died to defend the sovereignty of Israel’s God. Other people have been willing to die for other causes.
But, JESUS DID NOT DIE FOR A CAUSE! He died for us!
He was willing to give up his life for the same reason he urged some to give up possessions, prestige, family and power – namely for others. Compassion and love compel people to do everything for others. The person who says he or she lives for others but is not willing to suffer and die for them is self-deceiving. Jesus was fully alive because he was willing to die and suffer not only for a cause but also for people!! “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
He died of his own free will. "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from me, but I lay it down on my own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. (John 10:17-18 NAS).
Jesus explained to Peter that Jesus himself was in complete control of the situation at all times. He told Peter to put away his sword after Peter cut off the ear of the servant to the high priest: "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 New American Standard).
Thus, it was not the lies, false witnesses, the Jews, the Romans, the illegal trial or any of the things people believe killed Jesus. He died voluntarily and this is expressed in the statement, “lay down” his life. John’s writings more than any other use this term. This very term in the Greek language means to do it voluntarily and with purpose.
Jesus willingness to die for all peoples is a SERVICE just as everything else in his life is a service, a service rendered to all people. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
A ransom is given to redeem or liberate others. To offer one’s life as a ransom is to be willing to die so that others might live. The words “for many” are a Hebrew and Aramaic expression that generally means “for everyone.” At His last supper: “And He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
JESUS WAS AWARE OF THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT HE WAS DOING AND SAYING. Herod had silenced John the Baptist, it was rumored that he wished to silence Jesus too (Luke 13:31-33). Jesus avoided dangerous situations but the time came and he decided to go to Jerusalem: (Mark 8:31; Luke 9:51; 13:33).
The gospels picture Jesus as a man who went to his death knowingly and willing ling. Jesus was a man of immense courage. It is difficult for us to imagine differing radically from almost everyone else – past and present, in an age when group conformity was the only measure of truth and virtue.
Yet Jesus disagreed without hesitation with doctors of the law and scribes. No tradition was too holy to question. No authority was too great to be contradicted. No assumption was too basic to be challenged.
Yet, Jesus did not oppose in a spirit of rebellion for the sake of rebellion or because he had a grudge against the world. He did so for the sake of truth and righteousness for people.
There are no traces of fear in Jesus. He was not afraid of creating a scandal or losing his reputation or even losing his life. Even John the Baptist was wondered by the way Jesus mixed socially with sinners and seemed to enjoy their company. And by his permissiveness with regard to the laws and by his apparent disregard for the seriousness of sin and by his free and easy way of treating God! God was our Father – Abba!
Jesus soon acquired a bad reputation: “a glutton and a drunkard” (Matthew 11:16-19). In terms of group solidarity – you are who you befriend—his friendship with sinners would classify him as a sinner. “Then again they called the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner” (John 9:24).
In an age when friendliness toward any woman outside one’s family could mean only one thing, his friendship with women and especially with prostitutes would have ruined whatever reputation he still had left. See Luke 7:39; John 4:27.
He didn’t even have the support of His family. They thought he was out of his mind. “When His own people (family) heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses." (Mark 3:21). “And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath (possessed by) Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casts he out devils” (Mark 3:22).
Jesus compromised nothing for the sake of even a bit of prestige in the eyes of others. He did not seek anyone’s approval not even the approval of John the Baptist! See Matt. 11:4-6. “Blessed is he whoever is not offended in me,” Jesus said to the disciples of John who came asking if He were the messiah or “should we look for another?”
Jesus’ integrity was never questioned. He was accused of being demon possessed, a drunkard, a glutton, a sinner, a blasphemer, but nobody ever accused him of being insincere or hypocritical. They did not accuse him of being afraid of what others might say or think about him.
His enemies used this very quality of his integrity to trap him. Nevertheless, it showed what type of reputation he had among them: “They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to whom they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’” (Mark 12:14).
In the end He was tried before Pilate for being “King of the Jews.” Lest we think Pilate was a wonderful man, let’s see what others thought of him. Philo writes of Pilate that he was “by nature inflexible, self-willed and hard.” He lists Pilate’s crimes as “bribery, tyranny, pillage, violence, calumny, constant execution without passing a verdict, and endless insufferable cruelty.”
Jesus spoke of Pilate’s cruel acts: “Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1). The act that later got Pilate recalled to Rome was the slaughter of a group of Samaritans on Mt. Gerizim who were merely searching for sacred vessels.
So, the man who died for the sins of the world was a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” We did not esteem him. All of us forsook him and he had no attractiveness about him that we should desire him. But God laid on Him the sins of us all. (See Isaiah 53).
Jesus died voluntarily to express God’s love for us! "For God so loved the world, that he gave (up) his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16-17). “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
I hope that you and I never deny our Lord and Savior as so many have over the centuries. Let’s have the courage of our convictions as much as Jesus did who laid down his life for us!!
David L. Antion for Guardian Ministries
Labels: Jesus
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