GIVING THE GIFT OF SACRIFICE
“Jesus sacrificed His life and paid a ransom for our sins. He died for us, only asking that we live for Him.”
On the hill of Calvary, outside the walls of Jerusalem, the helpless disciples looked on as the Roman soldiers laid Jesus upon the cross. Then they drove spikes of iron through His feet, hands and wrists. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.
Then the cross was raised that all might see, and gape, and curse, and deride and this they did, with evil venom. The heavens grew black and darkness covered the land. There was a mighty storm, as though nature and the very elements protested in agony.
The Messiah hung on the cross and finally, when the atoning agonies had taken their toll, when the victory had been won, when the Son of God had fulfilled the will of His Father in all things, He said, “It is finished,” and He voluntarily gave up the ghost.
The peace and comfort of a merciful death freed Him from the pains and sorrows of mortality and he entered the paradise of God. After nearly forty hours, (three days as the Jews measured time) the Lord's body was taken to the Arimathaean’s tomb, where His body had been placed by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea.
Then, in a way incomprehensible to us, Jesus took up that body which had not yet seen corruption and arose in that glorious immortality, which made Him in the perfect image of his resurrected Father. He received all power in heaven and on earth and obtained eternal exaltation.
This Christmas may we fully understand the gift of sacrifice by remembering the miracles in the birth of our Savior. May this Christmas season we share the noble virtues of our heritage and birthright, as the children of God. May we take the opportunity to "live for Him" even as He died for us. Merry Christmas, may your blessings overflow with the spirit of Christ.
Linda Sumner Urza, written for: onefine11.blogspot.com
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