Jesus Gave His All

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:17-18

I count it an honour and privilege to be part of More to Life and to write devotions each month. God has blessed me abundantly and I desire to be a blessing to others. Each month, I ask the Lord to direct me and inspire me to write messages that will be a blessing to those who read. This month, I feel impressed to write about Bible characters who gave everything they had to the Lord.

Originally, I was going to leave this one to the last but felt to write first about the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself freely to purchase our salvation. He set an example for all of us, as He gave everything to accomplish His plan and purpose.

While reading the accounts in the Gospels, the Lord gave me a fresh understanding of how great God’s love is toward us. There are instances during the ministry of Jesus where He made Himself invisible and escaped from those that would have harmed Him. But when it came near the time for His crucifixion, He went willingly with His captors. At any point, He could have called for the angels to come and deliver Him. He could have said, “it’s not worth it, I am not going to go through with the plan.”

Can’t you just see the large group of angels gathered around Him in the Garden of Gethsemane? There on His knees, He settled it, when He prayed, “Not my will but Thine be done?” His great love for humanity motivated Him to give His all.

Because Jesus gave His everything, we can have:

• Forgiveness of sins
• His Holy Spirit dwelling within to guide us
• Healing
• Peace of mind
• Victory over sin
• Eternal life
• Promise of Heaven

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for a love so great that it took you to Calvary, to bear the punishment for our sins and to give us eternal life. Help us to be willing to give you our all.

Devotion by Anne Johnston