[491 words]
We often talk about what all Jesus gave on our behalf, i.e. He gave His blood (Matt. 26:28; Acts 20:28). And it is right and good to focus on what Jesus gave. But I would like to focus for a few moments on the things Jesus gave up for us. The text in Phil. 2:5-8 gives us four of them to contemplate: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).
Jesus gave up heaven’s glory. The Bible gives us glimpses of heaven only in words that we can understand (see Rev. 21:9-22:5). But in reality, it is a place that we cannot even begin to comprehend. It is filled with the glory of God (Acts 7:55). It is a place of great reward (Matt. 5:12). It is a place of blessedness and eternal peace and rest (Rev. 14:13). It is a place with no
tears, sorrows, pain, or death (Rev. 21:4). And just think that Jesus gave up on all that (for a while) for us!
Jesus gave up earthly riches. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he offered Him the wealth of the world (Matt. 4:8). Jesus resisted this temptation. Think about it; Jesus could have ruled the physical earth, but He knew that would not have been right (see Matt. 16:26), for it would not have been a part of the Father’s will. He gave up on worldly pleasures and possessions for us!
Jesus gave up His human will. Jesus was made like us, and as such, had free will, wishes, and desires (Heb. 2:17; 4:15). In fact, on that mournful night of His betrayal, He expressed His feelings and wishes to the Father. But He still yielded to the Father’s will (Matt. 26:37-39). Jesus was able to give up on His earthly desires to do the Father’s will on our behalf!
Jesus gave up His life. Jesus willingly bore our sins and laid down His life for us (John 10:17-18; 19:30; 1 Pet. 2:24). He gave up his life so that we could take the gospel and put it in our hearts. He was punished with our punishment. He died our death with us on His mind. He died so that we could live forevermore. He gave up His life for us!
Jesus has given up so much for us! And this should give us great cause to think – what have we given up for Him?
Edd Sterchi
Campbellsville, KY