Twelve year old Sara was the eldest child in her family. She was compelled,
by duty and necessity, to take on the care of her ailing mother, her hard
working father, and her four younger brothers and sisters. She spent the
next several years caring for the household. Her mother died at length,
but she kept on giving care to her grieving father and motherless siblings.
How she gave her all for their good. How she loved them and how she showed
it. In that she was like the Lord Jesus. He loved us beyond our ability
to understand, and showed it!
WHEN HE WAS ON THE CROSS JESUS
MANIFESTED DIVINE LOVE:
Listen to the message of love; a message from God's heart through the cross
and to you:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John
3:16.
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his
friends." John 15:13.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us." Romans
5:8.
He prayed for His malefactors instead of calling legions of angels to slay
them: He said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are
doing." Luke 23:34.
"By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only
begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this
is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to
be the propitiation for our sins." 1
John 4:9-10.
People say "I love you!" in eccentric, or clever or unique ways:
A young man had it printed out in a field with potted flowers and flew
his girlfriend over the field in an airplane so she could read the words
"I love you!" in red flowers against a green background.
A boy secretly home from the army had himself gift-wrapped to surprise
his girlfriend at her birthday party.
A woman wrote, "I love you!" in ketchup on the front of her husband's sandwich,
and another wrote it in lipstick on her husband's shaving mirror.
A little first grade girl gave her daddy a rock, hand-painted with, "I
love you!" on it. That rock still sits on my desk though that little girl
is a grown woman with children of her own. Actually there's a rock concert:
my granddaughter Alisha made me a rock, too.
A grandson who tells his grandpa, "I love you clear up to Jesus!"
Those are wonderful expressions. But Jesus said, "I love you this much!"
and He spread His arms on the cross and died.
Love gives and gives without putting a price or limit or condition on it!
Love just loves! And when He was on the cross Jesus showed us what divine
love is all about.
Sara deeply loved her family and set for them the example of unselfish
devotion. She toiled from early morning before any of the children woke
until late at nioight long after the last one was safe asleep. She
was there for them when they hurt and when they had some happy moment to
share. Sara's every waking thought was for the good of her family. She
missed out on being just a girl herself, no young men courting her, taking
her to the bright social events other girls of her age were enjoying. She
had no thought for self, only for her charges. She was absorbed in seeking
their good and welfare. How like our Lord Jesus Christ Who, even in the
hour of death, had no selfish concern for his own grief.
WHEN HE WAS ON THE CROSS JESUS THOUGHT ONLY OF THE GOOD OF OTHERS:
Look at the evidence of that:
Prior to the cross He kindly spoke to Judas the betrayer: "and Jesus said
to him, 'friend, do what you have come for.' Then they came and laid hands
on Jesus and seized Him." Matthew
26:50.
On the cross He prayed for His enemies, "Father, forgive them; for they
do not know what they are doing." Luke
23:34.
While dying, He thought of a fellow sufferer who was saying, "'Jesus, remember
me when You come in Your kingdom!' And He said to him, 'truly I say to
you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.'" Luke
23:42-43.
In death He considered the need of others, "when Jesus therefore saw His
mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His
mother, 'woman, behold, your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'behold,
your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household." John
19:26-27.
In contrast to that, modern culture is basically self-absorbed.
Commercials push it: "you deserve a break today," or "have it your way!"
Songs push it: "I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life!' or
"I did it my way!"
Modern philosophers teach it: one Montreal doctor says "a strong dose of
selfishness is the best way of achieving a happier, saner society."
Some people live like Teddy Roosevelt was described by one of his children,
"father always had to be the center of attention. When he went to a wedding,
he wanted to be the bride. When he went to a funeral, he was sorry he couldn't
be the corpse."
It's like a little boy who said to his sister as they rode a rocking horse
together, "If one of us would get off, there'd be more room for me!"
The French have a name for such inordinate self-absorption: maladie de
mois; me-sickness!
None of that for Jesus Christ! When He was on the cross, He thought of
His malefactors, of the thief, of His mother, and of you and me.
Sara thought first of her charges. She did what was required to help them
make a life, and more. In time her father also died. But as the younger
children grew, their needs continued and even became greater. She was able,
by great sacrifice to help three of them through college, and counted it
a privilege to do so. Sara gave and gave to her brothers and sisters until
her own health broke and she was an invalid herself in great need of care.
No longer could she rise early and stay up late caring for her charges.
No more could she mend the clothing, cook the food, do the laundry and
keep the house clean. She was weak and infirm but had not shrunk back from
what had to be done for the good of her family. Nor did Jesus shirk or
shrink or fall short of what he needed to do.
WHEN HE WAS ON THE CROSS JESUS DID WHAT HAD TO BE DONE TO SAVE US:
Jesus said something significant on the cross just before surrendering
His spirit into the hands of the Father. He said one word which we translate
with three words: "It is finished!"
That means the job has been accomplished, nothing remains undone.
That means the price has been paid; it is equivalent to "paid in full!"
That means God's will had been fully carried out in every detail.
Nothing remains unfinished in Christ's work of atonement. We cannot, and
must not, add anything to it!
Not law: circumcision, Sabbath keeping, dietary regulations or ritual,
religious observances.
Not personal effort: doing kind deeds, acts of benevolence, and services
which we think would merit heaven for us.
Not good intentions or promises or sincerity.
Christ's blood and His blood alone is adequate, sufficient and all encompassing.
If there had been one sin left unatoned for, one sinner left without ransom,
His work would have been inadequate.
John, however points out: "and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins;
and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world."1
John 2:2.
Peter says, "all the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes
in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name."Acts
10:43.
Hebrews 7:27
"unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices
day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people.
He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself."
What will you do with what Jesus did for you? Nothing else will avail for
your forgiveness; nobody else can stand before the Father on your behalf.
Only Jesus is adequate. Don't push Him aside or neglect Him for anything
or anyone else.
Sara spent her life on her family. But those to whom she had given so tenderly
and sacrificially, carelessly flung her aside and left her to her own resources.
She was forced into a squalid nursing home where she spent lonely days
and ultimately had to die alone. What ingratitude to one who had spent
and been spent on their good. Things weren't much different on calvary
the day Jesus died. There were not many faithful at the cross. Most fled
for their own safety or turned aside in disillusionment. Some who had been
blessed by Him now threw curses at Him. It is still the minority who take
a stand by Jesus; it is still the faithful few who align themselves with
Him. Where do you stand this morning? Where will you stand? Will you be
among those who turn from Him and walk away or will you be one of those
who stay by Him, who surrender to Him, and who walk with Him in faith?
The choice is yours, and we have no choice but to make a choice. Either
we will decide against Him, or for Him. Jesus says, however, that
neutrality is not an option. If we are not for Him, we are, by default,
against Him. When He was on the cross, He fixed His choice on you.
And what a happy day for all who fix their choice upon Jesus. When He was
on the cross, He secured forgiveness of sins. And what a happy day
for all who receive from Him full, free and final forgiveness of sin.
When He was on the cross He accomplished redemption's work. And what
a happy day for all who experience His redemption. When He was on
the cross He died to provide eternal life. And what a happy day for
all who are heirs of eternal life. And that's our hymn of invitation and
commitment this morning, "Happy Day!" It is in your power to make it a
happy day for your family, for yourself, and for all heaven as you receive
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and as you purpose to live your life for
Him from now on! That would truly be a "Happy Day!"