Reading the life story of Jesus in the gospels must eventually lead us to one conclusion…He gave away everything He was and everything He had for us.
Now that’s a startling statement!
Let’s examine the “everything” that Jesus gave away.
- H e gave away His right to act as God.
Paul wrote,
Philippians 2:6 NIV
[6] “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;…”
Many times, Jesus’ opponents challenged Him to show them evidence of His claim, if He was the Son of God. They ignored the real evidence, first of His revelation of God’s nature by His love for all people, and second, by the source of His miraculous works which they continually questioned.
Matthew 12:22-24, 27-28 NIV
[22] “Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. [23] All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” [24] But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”…
[27] And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges,
[28] But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Jesus didn’t claim to be the souce of His miracles. He claimed obedience to the Father who worked miracles through Him by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ entire life on earth, from conception to resurrection, was through the presence and under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:37-38 NIV
[37] “You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”
- As a man, Jesus gave away His right to make His own choices.
David prophesied that the Messiah would live entirely by His obedience to God by His own choice.
Psalms 40:6-8 NLT
[6] You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. [7] Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: [8] I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
John 5:30 NLT
[30] “I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.”
John 8:29 NLT
[29] And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.”
Even in the darkest moment of His life, Jesus chose to do the Father’s will.
Luke 22:42 NLT
[42] “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
- Jesus gave away His time to the sick and needy.
Mark 6:31, 34 NLT
[31] “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat….
[34] Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”
Interruptions never fazed Jesus. He always dropped His own agenda to minister to the people.
- Jesus gave away His earthly family connections.
In His youth, Jesus was an obedient son,
Luke 2:51 NLT
[51]” Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.”
… but He cut all ties with His family for the wider family of God’s children when He left home to fulfil His calling as Messiah and Saviour
Mark 3:32-35 NLT
[32] “There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” [33] Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” [34] Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. [35] Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
He even gave His mother away as a final act of love before He died.
John 19:26-27 NLT
[26] “When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” [27] And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.”
- Jesus gave His love, His joy, and His peace to His disciples.
John 15:9 NLT
[9] “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.”
John 15:11 NLT
[11] “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
John 14:27 NLT
[27] “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
- Jesus gave His body to the Jews for crucifixion and to the Romans for abuse.
Matthew 27:26 NLT
[26]”So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.”
Isaiah 50:6-7 NLT
[6]”I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. [7] Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.”
- Jesus gave away His reputation, His dignity and His clothing.
Philippians 2:8 NLT
[8]”… he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
John 19:23 NLT
[23]” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.”
- Jesus gave His life blood for the sin of the world.
Matthew 26:27-28 NLT
[27] “And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, [28] for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”
John 19:34 NLT
[34] “One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.”
- Jesus gave away His heart and soul to His people. On the cross He gave His body back to the earth from which it was made and His spirit back to the Father.
Isaiah 53:9 NLT
[9]” He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.”
Luke 23:46 NLT
[46]”Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.”
- Jesus had one more thing to give, His righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
[21] “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Conclusion
2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
[9] “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”
Jesus gave away everything He had to give. He kept nothing for Himself. We are His beneficiaries if we believe and give ourselves to Him. We have neither the experience nor the imagination to reveal the extent of His generosity except the promise of His Word.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT
[9]… “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”