Will You Lay Down Your Life for Jesus? - Part 2

What if it were a stranger, or a casual acquaintance like the postman, barber or petrol station attendant? Most people would not be willing to exchange places. But who would lay down his life if the man were an enemy? Probably, no one would. (One may in fact secretly rejoice that one’s enemy was going to get his just reward. Or, at best, mutter “tough luck” and remain indifferent.)

How about Jesus? Scripture tells us that it is rare that anyone would die for a good and righteous man. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).

Christ died for the ungodly – even for Barabbas, whose name means ‘son of a father’, a generic name that can be applied to every one of us. We all have sinned and have become ungodly. Jesus did much more than die for family or friends. He died for the ungodly, for His enemies; and Scripture says that human beings

have a mind that makes them enemies of God (Colossians 1:21). Jesus did not merely die for one enemy named Barabbas, but for the whole Barabbas race. He exchanged His place for all our fatal places.

That cross was not just for Barabbas, but it was Everyman’s cross. It was your cross and mine. Jesus took your place and mine. We should forever be thankful to the One who laid down His life for each of us.

Life should be lived with that worshipful gratitude to the Lamb of God who, on His own accord, took our place.

Often, we tend to overestimate our love for Jesus. Jesus told His disciples “You are my friends” (John 15:14), just after declaring that a true friend would lay down his life for his friends. Jesus demonstrated His friendship by dying not just for His friends, but also His worst enemies. He now asks us, “Are you my friend? … Will you lay down your life for me?”

Peter thought it was easy and declared he would do so. Jesus, knowing Peter’s weak, impulsive ways asked him, “Will you really lay down your life for me?” (John 13:37-38). Subsequent failure helped Peter to step towards maturity and be restored to a new level of discipleship (John 21).

Will we lay down our lives for Jesus? The early martyrs said “yes” with their lives. Later, the desert monks said “yes” when they gave up everything to follow Jesus. Later still, missionaries said “yes” when they left security and home to sail to distant lands to preach the gospel.

Today we face the same challenge in our daily situations – in our homes, workplaces, churches and neighbourhoods. It calls for the death of self and the display of love that is willing to lay down life (making costly and painful sacrifices) for family, friends, strangers and even enemies.

Jesus taught us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and His follower Paul was willing to exchange (if it was possible) his blessings for the curses on his fellow Jews who were his enemies (Romans 9:3).

The way of the cross is indeed paved with such self-giving love – found in Christ who wants to live in us.

Discussion Questions:

Put yourself in Barabbas’ place. Jesus took your place on the cross and died for you even when you were an enemy of God (Colossians 1:21; Romans 5:10). Reflect on the depth of Christ’s love and His sacrifice for you. Take time to thank Jesus “who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, emphasis added). Share with others the eternal debt you owe Christ.

To follow Jesus is to follow Him on the way of the cross (Luke 9:23). Reflect on what this means for you as you seek to lay down your life in sacrificial love for others. What lessons have you learned or are learning from Jesus your Lord and Teacher?