The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends. - John 15:3
The concept of giving one’s life for another is a well known concept in all of history and in every culture. It manifests itself in many forms. Various religions throughout history have offered the life of animals, plants and even humans to appease the gods. The soldier gives his life in battle for his king, his country or his fellow man. A father is willing to give his life for his family. However, while common throughout history, there is an unusual aversion to this concept. A desperate attempt at self preservation, a tension between needing to preserve one’s life and being willing to give one’s life for another; these have often outweighed the desire to lay down one’s life.
The thought of dying for someone or something more precious than our own life is an incredibly romantic concept. However, the concept of giving a life for something less valuable than ourselves is not ingrained into our western culture. The military general, while still willing to die in service to his country - is not to be sacrificed nor is he expected to lay down his life as readily as an infantry soldier. The general is generally considered much too valuable. He is a master decision maker, a master planner and necessary to orchestrate, strategize and win the battle.
In the game of chess, the play continues until an opponent calls check mate. As long as there are pawns to protect, bishops and knights left to fight, castles to block and even a queen to sacrifice - the game will continue. But once the king is overcome or taken, the game is over.
Contrast this with the life and mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born to die. He gave his life - the son of God gave his life - for you and me. We are incapable of completing God's plan to reconcile the world to himself. Only Jesus could do that. The number one general in Gods army, he is the master strategists. In the beginning, he was with God, he was God and then he took on flesh (John 1). In the beginning he was thinking and consulting with God. Thinking about you (while you were in your mother’s womb I knit you together the prophet Jeremiah records) The King of all kings, he is royalty. The great plan? Come to earth, teach a few simple men; fishers and tax collectors, live a short simple life; he was a carpenter and an itinerate speaker, spend a few short years in ministry teaching, healing and preaching repentance, then die a slow, painful and humiliating death.
What is most amazing about Christ is that his death was what won the battle. In chess, the king dies and the opponent is declared the victor. The pieces are collected and set for the next game. The victor goes to the next round, but the loser goes home. In war, the king dies and the other nation is declared the victor. Often times in battle, if the king died, the soldiers would stop fighting, they would retreat - even lay down there weapons and surrender. The loss of the king meant the loss of the war. The victors triumphed. The defeated military pulled back and regrouped. They named a new king if they could and they started all over again.
What happens when Jesus dies? The curtain in the temple is ripped down the middle. The humble, simple men become world icons. The disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit and they take the message of Christ around the world.
Because of Christ's death and resurrection - true salvation is now possible. You and I now have a path to God. "There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Emmanuel's veins, and sinners plunged beneath its flood, lose all their guilty stains”
