What Jesus Did for Us
As sinners (breakers of God's Law) we are given the death penalty, and our blood is required.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [of sin].
- Hebrews 9:22 (KJV)
God's Law allows for someone else to take our place, but only if that person is without spot himself. For Jesus to be our Savior He would have to be without sin Himself.
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
- 1 Peter 1:19 (KJV)
Jesus is the Lamb of God. The sacrifice for our sins.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
- John 1:29 (KJV)
For satan to stop Jesus from becoming our Savior, he tempted Him to the utmost, hoping that He would fall into one of his snares, and sin.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
- Matthew 4:1 (KJV)
When that failed, satan just tried to make Jesus suffer so much (on the cross) hoping that Jesus would just give up.
As soon as Jesus was nailed to the cross, it was lifted by strong men, and with great violence thrust into the place prepared for it. This caused the most intense agony to the Son of God.
- Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, p. 745
But Jesus didn't give up, and He demonstrated to the world how much He really loves us by enduring the cross.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
- John 15:13 (KJV)
With His blood Jesus paid the penalty that was meant for us, and if we believe that, God will forgive us our sins.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- John 3:16 (KJV)
Things Jesus Endured
- All sorts of temptation during His entire life
- Sweating blood
- Insulted
- Humiliated
- Betrayed by one of His own disciples (Judas)
- Abandoned by His own disciples (denied three times by Peter)
- Before court (falsely accused)
- Scourged
- Satanic mob shouting "Crucify Him"
- Crown of thorns
- Beard pulled out
- Fainted while carrying the cross
- Crucified among criminals (and instead of Barabbas, who was a hardened criminal)
- Separation from His Father (because of our sin)
- Death on the cross (excruciatingly painful)
It is said that Jesus in the end died because of a broken heart.
But it was not the spear thrust, it was not the pain of the cross, that caused the death of Jesus. That cry, uttered "with a loud voice" (Matt. 27:50; Luke 23:46), at the moment of death, the stream of blood and water that flowed from His side, declared that He died of a broken heart. His heart was broken by mental anguish. He was slain by the sin of the world.
- Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, p. 772
Jesus never gave up, and He is not giving up on you now either.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- Romans 8:35 (KJV)
God is essentially saying "I love you so much, that I'm willing to die for you".
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
There is still time to get to know God as your friend.
Enduring the Cross
Jesus endured the cross, because He was thinking of us.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)
Jesus did this for us.
Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if He were the only one for whom the Saviour died.
- Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, p.480
Reminds me of this song When He Was On the Cross (I Was On His Mind).
Conclusion
I don't think we will ever fully understand and appreciate what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Maybe we just need to see it for ourselves?
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
- Luke 24:39-40 (KJV)
For a further study on Psalm 22 (which Jesus quoted from on the cross), please click here.
To read the gospel, please click here.