“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8
The Greek word “for” is full of meaning which I believe sums up the gospel message. It’s translated as for the sake of, in behalf of and instead of. Thirty six years ago I scarcely understood the depth of my sin and feebly recognized my need for Christ. But it was Easter of 1979 that God accepted my simple prayer to receive Christ as my Savior.
It has taken me these many decades to just begin to comprehend the transaction between God and man on the day Christ died.
Look with me again at the word “died”. It is not merely that Christ was put to death for us. He “died” voluntarily and deliberately yielding Himself up to it for us. His death was not merely an execution. The cross was not man’s evil injustice that just happened. It was an eternally significant ordeal! He Himself with full intention walked the road of Calvary to the cross. He was no victim. Redemption between God and man was about to be accomplished.
Hell and humanity were permitted to do their worst, but the omniscient God foreknew it, anticipated it and overruled it. Sin’s vilest effects became Christ’s greatest victory.
Dimly can I truly fathom what it cost Him. But this I do know, the enormity of the anguish was meant to be mine. That little word “for” tells of the greatest love man can ever know. At the cross our blessed Jesus hung in our place to restore our hopeless and helpless condition.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul.