John 10:17-18
I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man
takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have the power to lay it down,
and I have power to take it again.
I feel blessed and honoured to share with you a thought that
might have passed your hearts at one point or another. This thought is about
feeling personally responsible for Christ's death. Let us read together from
the book of Romans, Chapter 5, Verse 8: "But God commends his love
toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
The depths of this scripture unveil to us the essence of
Christ's death - a sacrifice made while we were yet sinners. It is natural then
to feel a sense of responsibility, a heaviness in our hearts, for it was our
sin that required such a noble sacrifice. But allow me to share with you
another perspective, an encouraging way to perceive this reality.
Our journey of faith is not meant to be a burden of guilt,
but a journey of redemption, grace, and love. Jesus Himself said in Matthew
11:30, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” When we reflect
upon the crucifixion, we must not forget the resurrection. Christ's death was
not the end, but the beginning of our salvation.
Does Christ's death hold you accountable? Yes, it does.
However, it holds you accountable to love, to forgive, and to practise
kindness. It holds you accountable to the transformation that He wishes for you
- from a sinner to a believer, from darkness to light, from death to life.
Jesus did not go to the cross with a heart full of blame.
Instead, He went with a heart full of love for you and me. As we read in John
3:16, “For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son.” God
did this so we could be free from the chains of sin, not so guilt could shackle
us.
Feeling responsible for Christ's death is a humble response,
but living your life in Christ as a response is better still. God wants us to
see Christ's sacrifice as the bridge that connects our sinful nature to His
loving forgiveness. We were worth dying for in His eyes, and now we live because
He lives.
So, let us shift our focus from guilt to gratitude. Let us
thank God for His unending love and grace. Let us strive to live as
representatives of Christ - loving, forgiving, and spreading the good news of
His resurrection.
In conclusion, dear brethren, the cross is not a symbol of
our guilt, but a symbol of God’s love. While we were the reason for His
sacrifice, we are also the recipients of His resurrection. Let us, therefore,
live in the light of His resurrection, upholding love, forgiveness, and grace,
not as those weighed down by guilt but as those lifted by His love.