The Cross, Part 3

Jesus died as us

While the focus of Jesus dying for us is our justification, the focus of Jesus dying as us is our sanctification.

This aspect of His death brings an entirely different meaning to the work of the cross in our lives. Jesus dying for us means we can receive forgiveness for our sins; Jesus dying as us means we can receive freedom from our sins.

Here is a brief list that points out the differences between Jesus dying for us and as us:

Jesus dying for me: He is my Redeemer.
Jesus dying as me: He is my Deliverer.

Jesus dying for me: He has dealt with the fruit of my sins.
Jesus dying as me: He has dealt with the root of my sins.

Jesus dying for me: I am released from the penalty of sin.
Jesus dying as me: I am released from the power of sin.

Jesus dying for me: I am justified.
Jesus dying as me: I am sanctified.

Jesus dying for me: I am saved from my past.
Jesus dying as me: I am saved from myself.

In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 we read an amazing truth, “For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.”

This passage places us on the cross with Jesus Christ. It says that Jesus not only died, but we died with Him. “He died for all” and “all died” is a powerful proclamation, a life-changing provision, and transforming reality in the hearts of all who believe.

 Why did Jesus die as us? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 supplies us with the answer. Jesus died as us so that we would no longer be people who are living for themselves, but who are living, all out, for Him. This is good news! We really can be free. The message of the cross is our emancipation proclamation from sin and selfishness.

This life-changing truth is not something you can understand by sitting down, putting your hand under your chin, and thinking hard about it. In order for this truth to impact your life, the Holy Spirit must open your spiritual understanding and reveal it to you. This truth is not something the human mind can figure out; it is a truth the heart needs to see, as the light of the cross shines upon it.

In his book The Cross and Sanctification, T.A. Hegre reminds us of why Christ came, “Jesus came to be not only our Savior but our Deliverer. He said that He came to ‘proclaim release to the captives and to set at liberty them that are bruised’ (Luke 4:18-19). Christ came into the world not only to forgive sins and give eternal life, but also to bring release to those who are in bondage to self-will and to set at liberty those that are bruised by the devil.”

I would like to encourage you to pray the following prayer before we look deeper into the meaning of the cross in our lives…

Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die for me and as me. Jesus, thank You for being obedient to the Father, for praying “Not my will, but Thine be done,” and for willingly giving your life upon the cross. Holy Spirit, I ask You to open my understanding and reveal to my heart the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ in my life. I want to be fully Yours so I can know what it means for You to be fully mine. Amen.

Comments

[rich]

Roy
thanks for putting down what the Spirit of Truth gave you today...
it reminded me of one of Mother Judy's quotes from the community of Jesus..

"stop fighting your cross and let it put you to death.
Then you'll go free"

Such heavenly mysteries and deep compassion of the Lord Jesus makes me pause and just take a breath wanting to let it all soak in and bring fresh Life.
How rich we are in Jesus!

I just got back from seeing my mother (in her 5th year of dementia at a nursing home) and she had fallen on her face accidently breaking the cartlege in her nose popping it out of the skin leaving a nasty cut on her nose. I cried while there at the sight of her pain and I cried walking home and the thought came clearly to me that my grief was because someone I love and care about is in pain and hurting. Then my spirit wondered, "have I ever cried that way of what Jesus suffered for me?" Have I really looked on His pain and let the cost of my deliverance really become a reality to me?

[Eliseo]

thank you and more power to Dayspring for such such wonderful and encouragement mesages, GOD BLESS,,,

[Kathy]

FIrst I want to say that I really enjoy this devotional. Thank you for writing it.

I just wanted to make a comment about this one.

The actual work of Jesus dying "as" us cannot begin until we make the choice to receive his gift of dying "for" us. Christ's work is finished. Our sanctification begins when we say "yes" to Jesus. The Jesus dying as us on the cross is an internal work where Jesus dying for us was the physical act.

Good thoughts for a good day.
K

[Ron]

Thank you so much, Roy, for the vitally needed insight and truth in this posting. Oh that we [the Church] receive more and more revelation of Christ as our Life!