Once for All Time
There are so many great verses talking about or eluding to what Jesus did for us on the cross. This one in 1 Peter 3:18 has stood out to me this year. One little sentence carries so much weight, victory, and hope.
I like looking at multiple versions when I’m reading through the bible so I’m going to put three translations below:
ESV “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,”
NLT “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.”
MSG “That’s what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others’ sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.”
The righteous for the unrighteous. Jesus for us! The one with no sin for us with so much sin. Why? TO BRING US TO GOD. TO BRING YOU SAFELY HOME TO GOD. Without Jesus’ death on the cross, for our sin, we could not come to God.
“He suffered for our sins once for all time.” (“Once for all time” is a huge statement BTW). Suffered. Everyone is suffering in some way right now. But the suffering Jesus took on for us is not anywhere close to our “Corona has forced me not to leave my house – not to see my friends – not to go to Buffalo Wild Wings for wings and sports – and try to teach my kids fractions” suffering. He suffered the “Roman crucifixion – complete humiliation – bear the weight of the world – have God the Father turn his back on him – literally die” kind of suffering.
It just makes me take the focus off myself and my current situation and remember what Jesus did for me. EVERYTHING! I’m so thankful for the suffering Jesus went through for me. To bridge the gap between God and I, where sin had left a void.
And then this verse ends with my favorite statement and precursor of things to come. “Made alive in the Spirit.” Of course, for the obvious reason that Jesus defeated death, hell, and the grave, and the power it gives to us in the family of God. But I also love it because it’s the first step towards everyone in the world having access to the Holy Spirit. Jesus was around for 40 more days and then gave this life changing statement before ascending into Heaven:
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7
Pause. Take a breath. Stop rushing.
Is the Holy Spirit in your life? Jesus says it is an advantage that he went to heaven. Why? So you can have the Holy Spirit in your life. So….is the Holy Spirit in your life?
Slow down. Stop rushing. Reflect. Focus. Ponder. Communicate with “THE Helper.” You definitely need Him in this season right?
Now pull up the song “Touch of Heaven” by Hillsong Worship and keep going! Open up your heart to Him.
