The sacrifice that changed it all

Luke 23 records the most significant event that forms the foundation of the Christian faith: the death of Jesus on the cross.

His sacrifice was one made out of love. As John 3:16–17 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Jesus was sent into the world out of great love, that through His death for our sins, the world might be saved.

Jesus’ death embodies the true meaning of sacrifice because He willingly laid down His life. In Luke 23:4, we read that Pilate found no fault in Jesus. Yet Jesus remained silent when questioned. Later, when both Jesus and Barabbas were presented to the people, Pilate again found no fault in Jesus. Though Jesus had done no wrong and deserved no punishment, He chose to bear the sins of all mankind and lay down His life.

Through the suffering of His death, Jesus never lost sight of His mission to save mankind and His love for humanity. Despite the mocking and the cruel treatment by the soldiers and the crowd, Jesus still prayed in “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Lk 23:34) Although His accusers were actively trying to crucify Him, through His death He was offering salvation even to them, demonstrating His enduring love for all humanity.

For us today, there is a lot to learn and reflect on from Jesus’ death on the cross.

Firstly, the account of Jesus’ great sacrifice is always a reminder to us of how much our God loves us. Paul reflects on this in his Epistle to the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Beyond just seeing and remembering God’s immense love for us, we must also strive to live for Him—not out of compulsion, but voluntarily, out of deep gratitude for the salvation He provided for us through His suffering and death.

While we recognise Jesus’ love for us through this account of His death, we must also learn to emulate this love as His children. In John 13:34-35, Jesus instructs that we love one another as He has loved us. Just as He did, we must love the people of the world and strive to save them even when faced with ridicule and hostility. It is through this kind of sacrificial love that we truly live according to His teachings and honor Him with our lives.

Reflection questions

1. Is there anyone you're struggling to love? How can you take 1 step to move closer towards Jesus' sacrificial love?

2. What is 1 thing you have done recently to live for Christ?

3. What is 1 thing you want to do to live for Christ?