I Gave My Life For Thee

Today is Good Friday. What is Good Friday exactly? Most people just think of it as a day off work and school and another reason to party.

Good Friday has a deeper meaning for me. Though nobody knows the exact date, today is the day we celebrate the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. I am so thankful that Jesus thought I was worth dying for, so much so that He stepped off His throne, leaving all His heavenly glory, to come to earth and save sinful mankind. Worthy? Me? No, I deserved Hell and my sin was leading on a path directly into that burning abyss. I was eternally lost, but then Jesus found me.

I was reading this morning about the crucifixion as told in Matthew 26 and 27. It never fails to astonish me that the Savior would allow Himself to be crucified in my place. If I had been the only person in the world, Jesus would have died for me so I could go to Heaven.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

What love is this! I can hardly believe that He could care so much for me, sinful and wretched as I am. I stand amazed. Thank You, Lord! Thank You!

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Matthew 27:27-31

To think what He endured for me! To be spit on is one of the most vile, degrading things I can think of.
Jesus said, “Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matt. 26:64) For this reason the soldiers mocked His Kingship. What a surprise awaits them when they do see Him sitting as King of kings and Lord of lords, ruling the earth, not with a flaxen reed, but with a rod of iron! The Bible says that all will bow the knee before Jesus Christ. On that day His enemies will tremble and quake at the sight of Him, for His awesome glory will be enough to melt the heart. Righteousness will prevail, and He will be the one to have the last laugh when He makes His enemies His footstool.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:11, 12

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. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11

I Gave My Life For Thee

I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might’st ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead.
I gave, I gave, My life for thee,
What hast thou giv’n for Me?
I gave, I gave, My life for thee,
What hast thou giv’n for Me?

My Father’s house of light,
My glory-circled throne,
I left for earthly night,
For wand’rings sad and lone.
I left, I left, it all for thee,
Hast thou left aught for Me?
I left, I left, it all for thee,
Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee,
More than thy tongue can tell
Of bit’rest agony,
To rescue thee from hell, from hell,
And I have brought to thee,
Down from My home above
Salvation full and free,
My pardon and My love.
I bring, I bring, rich gifts to thee,
What hast thou brought to Me?
I bring, I bring, rich gifts to thee,
What hast thou brought to Me?

What hast thou brought to Me?
I gave My life for thee!

Words by Frances R. Havergal

Praise God for love such as this! Jesus is Lord! He’s coming soon to claim His own! Are you prepared?