Hello, dear friends, and welcome back to A Word from the Vine. I'm Pastor Loren Christensen, and I'm grateful to have you with me today. In our previous episodes, we discussed the continuous celebration of Christmas and growing in faith and wisdom. Today, we'll focus on embracing the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which are central to our faith.
One of the most profound aspects of our Christian faith is the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. In John 15:13, Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." This verse encapsulates the depth of Jesus' love for us. He willingly laid down His life to save us from our sins.
Let's take a moment to reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. He endured unimaginable suffering and pain on the cross, bearing the weight of our sins so that we could be reconciled to God. His death was not just a tragic event; it was the ultimate act of love and redemption.
As we think about Jesus' sacrifice, we are reminded of the cost of our salvation. It was not a cheap or easy sacrifice. It required Jesus to give His very life. This calls us to respond with gratitude and love. We are called to live our lives in a way that honors His sacrifice and reflects His love to others.
But the story doesn't end with Jesus' death. Three days after His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death once and for all. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. It gives us hope and assurance of eternal life. Through His resurrection, Jesus showed us that death is not the end, but a new beginning. Because of His resurrection, we can have confidence that we too will be raised to new life with Him.
Embracing the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus means living with the hope and joy that comes from knowing that we have eternal life in Christ. It means recognizing the depth of His love for us and responding with a life of gratitude and service.
The resurrection also calls us to live with a sense of purpose and mission. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives His disciples the Great Commission: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." As followers of Christ, we are called to share the good news of His resurrection with others and to make disciples of all nations.
Living in the light of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection means letting His love and power transform our lives. It means living with hope, joy, and a sense of purpose. It means being a witness to the incredible love and grace of our Savior.
Thank you for joining me today on A Word from the Vine. I hope this reflection on embracing the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus has been meaningful for you. Let's close with a prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible love and sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to live in the light of His resurrection, with hope, joy, and a sense of purpose. Fill us with Your love and guide us in all that we do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
I look forward to having you with me in our next episode, where we'll continue our series on "Living the Christmas Truth Every Day." Until then, may God bless you and keep you."