John || A Life Given, Not Taken
John 10:17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
John 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.
“NO ONE TAKES IT FROM ME”
“No one takes it from me” ≄ They tried to, but I didn’t let them.
“No one takes it from me = No one ever could take this life from me.
The cross is not just the story of what humans did to Jesus. It is the story of what God did with our sin.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Wages – opsōnia – Compensation that is owed because it has been earned.
Colossians 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Death is an earned outcome, not arbitrary punishment.
Isaiah 53:4–6 “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…
He was pierced for our transgressions… the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Mankind → Life with sin→Wages of Sin = death
Mankind → Life with sin→Wages of Sin = death
Jesus → life without sin→ No wages, so no death.
If the wage (earned outcome) of sin is death, and Jesus never sinned (what he would’ve had to do to earn the outcome of death) …. How/why does Jesus die?
If the wage of sin is death, and Jesus never sinned…. How/why does Jesus die?
Where’d he get the wages? If he didn’t earn them through sin?
Isaiah 53:4–6 “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…
He was pierced for our transgressions… the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Colossians 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “IT IS FINISHED.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The cross is not only a display of suffering. It is the receipt of our redemption.
Pending or PAID ?
This bread reminds us that your body bore the debt we owed.
This cup reminds us that your blood has sealed the payment.