We’re all like the desperate man on the side of the road—far from God with no way to get home.
It’s a cold and dreary winter day with snow falling so fast you can barely see through your car’s windshield. You pull up to the red light and notice something to your left—it’s a man. He’s holding a sign. “Trying to get home. Need money. Anything you can do will help.” Maybe he’s telling the truth and really needs help. You roll down your window and give the guy a few bucks even though you know it won’t solve his problem.
In reality, we’re all like the desperate man on the side of the road—far from God with no way to get home, hoping someone can help. Exactly how do we get to Heaven? How much does it cost?
Unfortunately, the cost is perfection and we just don’t have enough.
What did Jesus do for us? He came to show us the way home and he paid our way!
Discover 8 Things Jesus Did For Us:
- Jesus came at the request of God the Father.
Psalm 40:8, Living Bible – Then I said, “See, I have come, just as all the prophets foretold. And I delight to do your will, my God, for your law is written upon my heart!”
- Jesus came to make a new covenant with us.
Hebrews 10:8-10, Living Bible – After Christ said this about not being satisfied with the various sacrifices and offerings required under the old system, he then added, “Here I am. I have come to give my life.” He cancels the first system in favor of a far better one. Under this new plan we have been forgiven and made clean by Christ’s dying for us once and for all.
- Jesus’ made a New Covenant that is superior to the Old Covenant.
The new covenant not only cleanses the sin, but it also cleanses the conscience of the sinner. It has replaced the Old Covenant because it provides a permanent, eternal solution for man’s sin. Consider a temporary car tag—it just permits you to drive the car until your permanent “real” tag arrives.
Hebrews 8:6, GOD’s Word Translation – “Jesus has been given a priestly work that is superior to the Levitical priests’ work. He also brings a better promise from God that is based on better guarantees.”
Hebrews 9:9, Living Bible – “This has an important lesson for us today. For under the old system, gifts and sacrifices were offered, but these failed to cleanse the hearts of the people who brought them.”
Luke 22:19-20, New Living Translation – “He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”
- Jesus offered his perfect life in exchange for our sinful life.
- Life is in the blood. (Leviticus 17:11)
- The Old Testament says “a life for a life”. (Deuteronomy 19:21)
- There is no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood. (Hebrews 9:19-23)
- Jesus fulfilled the “Law” for us.
Matthew 5:17-18, King James Version – Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
- Jesus redeemed us from the Law so God could adopt us as His children.
Galatians 4:4-6, Living Bible – “But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons. And because we are his sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, so now we can rightly speak of God as our dear Father.”
Romans 8:22-23, Living Bible – “For we know that even the things of nature, like animals and plants, suffer in sickness and death as they await this great event. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us—bodies that will never be sick again and will never die.”
- Jesus intercedes (prays) for us when we do sin.
Hebrews 4:14-16, Living Bible – But Jesus the Son of God is our great High Priest who has gone to heaven itself to help us; therefore let us never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned. So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.
- Jesus delegated his authority to us (believers).
Luke 10:19-20, Living Bible – And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk among serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you! However, the important thing is not that demons obey you, but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven.”
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