SOMEONE TO DIE FOR?

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 07 July 2012

Hi all,

Have you ever considered what it must be like to die for someone? Jesus statement in John adds perspective to this; Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 KJV I recall a story about a young man talking about their future together. “I’ll give my life and die for you” he told her passionately. I think it would be far better if you live for me was her brilliant answer. Dying for someone else is our meditation.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 07 July 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	SOMEONE TO DIE FOR?
Would anyone freely give his life for someone else? Charles Dickens in his fictional “A Tale of Two Cities” describes the circumstances in which this took place. The book was more than a fictional story. In it, Dickens was commenting on the social life and conditions in England and France at the time, ± of the French Revolution. Many Dickens novels were commentaries of this nature. It has been said that his books did more for the “liberation” of the British people than any other individual in England. His main “rival” for this title was perhaps the Prime Minister, Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury KG; A follower of and devoted to Jesus Christ Toward the end of Dickens’ book we find the story of Sydney Carton changing places with Charles Darnay. Carton goes to the guillotine and is executed in Darnay’s place. It’s a typical Dickensian tale full of pathos and insight. This book captured the imagination of the British public and has become a classic of English literature. “A Tale of Two Cities” was made into a memorable movie in 1935. It was in black and white which somehow adds to the tension of the plot. The closing scene; Carton and a pretty young woman going to the guillotine, is something I’ll never forget. Carton changing places with Darnay has always fascinated me. He died for someone else. Of course, he knew Darnay, which made the story somewhat more plausible. But the fact is, he died for someone else. I must confess that I don’t think I have it in me to do that. I suppose that under the right circumstances I may be willing to do it for my wife or a close family member. To die for an enemy makes no sense to me at all. Would I give my life for Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, or Ivan the Terrible? The very idea is preposterous. My twisted sense of justice and self-preservation suggests that it would be more fitting if they died for me! That’s not what Jesus did. Imagine a world populated with wicked and evil men and women who would make Attila the Hun look like Father Christmas. You don’t know anyone like that? But you do! You see him or her every time you look into a mirror. You and I are “monsters of Iniquity” compared with a righteous and Holy God. As Paris Reidhead said on one occasion, “We deserve Hell. It would be just and right for us to be sentenced to be in Hell for a dozen eternities and then a bit more.” And that is how we looked to a Holy, righteous God. But in spite of all the filth and cursing we could spew upon Him, He came and died for us. The very thought makes me feel ashamed and weak. “I don’t deserve that” I said. “You’re right, but I love you”, He replied! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			28 "Be like the Son of Man. He did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free." Mat 20:28 NIrV 13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people's bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:13-14 NLT 7 He was abused and punished, but he didn't open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was like a sheep that is silent when its wool is cut off. He didn't open his mouth. Isa 53:7 GW 15 just as My Father knows Me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to My voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. 17 "The Father loves Me because I sacrifice My life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what My Father has commanded." John 10:15-18 NLT 11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Lev 17:11 TNIV 22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 NLT 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Rom 5:8-9 TNIV	To think that He decided to come to earth and die! Is almost unbelievable; I dare not ask Him “Why!” He’ll say He came to save me and all the human race. And then I’ll have to look away; not look Him in the face! He came here as a servant. He came to look for me! Which seems to make no sense at all; I’m sure it cannot be! If I had been a righteous man, then I could comprehend. But I was undeserving; a gross and sinful blend, Of everything conceivable in wicked fallen man; And He knew all about it; He said it was His plan! He came to save His enemies. It makes my legs go weak. That such a thing was possible! The thought still makes me freak. I still don’t understand it. It is as clear as mud. That Jesus Christ would come to Earth and shed His precious blood, For those who were His enemies! It makes me feel ashamed. I wouldn’t think of doing it for those whom I have blamed, For everything that’s happened. I wouldn’t care a fig. If they were not my family I’d treat them as a pig. O Master please forgive me. I know I’m in a jam. I’m just a human being and You are the “I AM”. I do not have the blood of Christ, coursing through my veins. My birth was in iniquity, awash with Adam’s stains. I need a blood transfusion; I never can be clean. Not when I consider the things I’ve done and been. It’s utterly impossible for me to pass Your test. I’ll never join the happy band, of those whom You have blessed. The only way to do it, is for me first to die. To take away the tainted blood on which I so rely. Pass it through the cleansing fount which You alone control. And then restore it back to me. That’s sure to make me whole! Your life blood in my body, can do what I can’t do. Live a life that’s totally dependent upon you. I’m sure when this has happened, I will not feel ashamed. Instead, a sense of thankfulness that sin has been contained! That is my reaction to that which You have done, In having me adopted to be a precious son. O Lord you are exalted, above the stars on high! You gave Your life so sinners could live and never die. Jim Strickland Written 7th July 2012