22/11/10

Christ died for our sins, while we were yet sinners

Romans 5:7,8 - For scarcely [with difficulty] for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.


At one of Dr. Ron's session he was sharing a testimony at what happened at one of the sites he was excavating. It was a site of one of the place which the Roman Empire ruled over during the early church. Along with him were 2 persons working on a skeleton of a young girl about 13 years old. From the marks on the bones one would conclude that she died due to an attack of an animal. The nail marks of the animal while tearing the flesh were visible on the bones.

Dr. Ron was working at the leg portion of the girl while his other 2 colleagues who were atheist were working on the upper portion. Suddenly the 2 scream and jump out of the pit with a scare in their eyes. Dr. Ron's back was towards them, so he shouted at them to get back into the pit and continue the work. The two were pointing to the hand of the girl. When Dr. Ron checked it out there was an object held in the hands of the girl with words carving into it. The words read 'I lay my life for Christ' in the language it was written.

There were many such bodies found nearby which also showed they were victims to animal attack. Then they realized these remains were of people who were executed to brutal dead because they were Christians. One of the atheist persons was a local started to cry bitterly. He said that his ancestors gave their lives because of their belief and realized their love for Christ. From that day he became a believer.

We are moved when we see something done for us but we should understand even before we came into existence in this flesh Jesus Christ suffered for us and gave His life on the crucifix for us.

When we were very young many of us knew that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself on a cross for the sins of the world, for those who believe in Him. But we came to a real realization of the sacrifice of Jesus when we had a personal exchange of the sacrifice into our lives. Our relationship with Jesus changed when we realized 'He died for my sins even before I knew Him'.

If one goes into historic details of Jesus, we will see that Jesus just a few months before He was crucified was very famous with thousands and thousands of followers. Leaving for the Pharisees and Sadducees most of the people had great regards for Him, this included the Romans and the Roman rulers. Jesus could have continued His ministry and would have expanded his following throughout the world. People could have known God but there would have been no way for them to before God. Keeping in mind the main purpose of His mission on earth Jesus sacrifice all that fame and did things which cause the Romans and the people to hate Him, like healing Bartimaeus at Jericho. Bartimaeus was not his name but the word Bartimaeus means 'son of Timaeus', he was considered like a Roman rebel and was blinded by the Romans under order of Caesar, Jesus knew if He healed this man He would be considered 'a enemy of the people' by the Romans. The Jews High Priest could torture and whip Jesus but did not have the power to take his life. It was only the Romans who had the power to crucify or give a dead sentence.

When Jesus Who was God the Son come as man, gave up his glory in Heaven and his fame on earth and accepted the suffering and dead on the cross at that time He had you and me in his mind. He did not want us to perish and there is no man or god who ever did such a great sacrifice. Most gods demand a sacrifice but our God and only true God became a sacrifice for us.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord Jesus, through You all creation came into existence and by your great sacrifice creation does not perish. You love your people and for them You humbled yourself and became an eternal sacrifice for us. Lord we thank You for your love which was manifested on the cross. We pray for the lost sheep who have yet not experienced your love, that they may see your bruised body lifted up for their sins too and come to know You...

This prayer we make in your Mighty Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
Mark 10:46-52
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
50 And he, casting away his garment, roe, and came to Jesus.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive [revenge] my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

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