Because I Am Going
The phrase we need to consider today is “because I am going.” What is the reason that Jesus had to go to the cross on His way to going to the Father? In order to answer that question, we need to develop a theology of sacrifice.
The word “theology” simply comes from two Greek words meaning “God’s words.” I am beginning to discover what God’s words are about sacrifice. He uses that word a great deal. In the English Standard Version of the Bible, the word “sacrifice” appears 309 times.
Our theology has come to rest on several important, foundational truths about sacrifice. Remember, sacrifice is to forfeit something of value for something else considered to have a greater value. Jesus’ sacrifice in coming to earth to die on a cross was first to satisfy the requirements of the Law about sin and second to set an example which would instruct us.
The first lesson that the Bible teaches about sacrifice is to give the best. The first fruits of the ground were offered to God, just as the first-born of the animals. “The animals that you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats” (Exodus 12:5 NIV). The process of Old Testament sacrifice taught us to give our best, to give in a structured way. But it was never about fruit or lambs.
The Old Testament laws and structure for sacrifice painted a picture that would help us understand what Jesus was going to do in His sacrifice – of His life and His death.
The purpose of the law was to keep a sinful people in the way of salvation until Christ came. 23-24 Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for (Galatians 3:18, 23-24 MSG).
Another lesson we learn is that a sacrifice can become an offering that pleases God when the sacrifice changes our behavior. The fruit or the lambs – or even money that we give at church – was not what God was looking for. He has plenty of all of that. What pleases Him is when we change our behavior and our sacrifice proves the change has happened. This is especially true when we change our behavior to help those who cannot help themselves.
Sacrificing for others who cannot help themselves is exactly the sacrifice that Jesus gave for us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Finally, we sacrifice for a reason, for a purpose. We sacrifice for the helpless so they might understand God’s ways and be introduced to Jesus.
In a very real sense, we are the Old Testament Scriptures for someone else.
Paul puts it this way.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8 NIV).
If our relationships are going to be successful, it is because we are thinking and acting like Christ. Be so much like Christ – so much in tune with Him – that you finish your sentences with His words, that you complete your actions with His actions.
After thirty years of marriage, Beth knows how I think. Often it is like she reads my mind. She can complete my sentences – faster and more eloquently than I can. She knows how I am going to react. She orders my food at the restaurant. She changes the television station to the one I would select – before she walks out of the room and relinquishes control of the remote. She knows me as well as I know myself.
Let this mind be in you. Sacrifice the me-first attitude that is a part of our worldly existence.
How do I offer my best to God? How can my best be an offering to God? What is my ultimate purpose in my life, in my sacrifices – am I achieving that purpose?
Let this mind be in you.
On this day that we designate as “Good Friday,” honor the Savior by remembering the sacrifice that He made so many years ago that paved the way for you to spend eternity with the Father. Isn’t that what the fourteenth chapter of John is all about? Jesus is going to prepare a place for you. Putting all that we have learned together, re-read the fourteenth chapter of John, giving thanks for the supreme sacrifice that was made for you.
