Listen to an expression so often repeated it has perhaps lost some of its meaning:
Jesus Died For Me!
Of course the sentiment of that statement is widely known and appreciated, but a study of the individual words may yield a deeper understanding.
JESUS: the Son of God; God in the flesh.
DIED: executed; capitally-punished
FOR: of varying definitions…
ME: the sinner who deserved to be executed.
The word “for” carries different usages in the English language.
One can use the word to mean “because of” (as in, “I went to jail for stealing”).
Another usage would be to say “instead of” (as in, “Will you mail this letter for me”).
The word could also be used to mean “in order to obtain” (as in, “I need you to go to the store for some bread”).
In what way did Jesus die “for” mankind? In every way!
Jesus died in order to obtain mankind.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9
He wanted you! And He wanted you as His possession so much that He was willing to part with all the riches of Heaven to obtain you. He was willing to give up all his riches so that you could have them instead.
Never forget that because of our sins, we made it impossible for us to obtain God (without God’s help). Man could not give of himself to God for his sins; he needed God to give of Himself for man’s sins. We needed Him to do something to obtain us! Thus, He did. He gave His life for us.
Paul again writes:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
Aren’t you thankful that Jesus died for you?
Aren’t you thankful that Jesus died for YOU?
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