“That others may live”
“These things we do, that others may live.”
I was listening yesterday to a retired military professional as he was being interviewed to speak about the process of search and rescue missions overseas. This was in response to the U.S. fighter jet that had been shot down a day or two earlier, and at the time, one of the airmen was still missing. He shared the above motto of the United States Air Force Pararescue. These people willingly enter dangerous, hazardous territory, laying their own lives on the line, to find those who are missing. They would do everything they could, including give up their own lives if necessary, to recover that precious life.
It seemed especially meaningful that today, on Resurrection Sunday, they found that second airman alive and well.
I couldn’t help but think of how Jesus Christ lived up to that same motto, but to a much higher degree.
Jesus gave up His own life that others may live. He was fully God, but also fully man. He left heaven and came to earth, took on human flesh, entering this war-torn territory corrupted by mankind’s sin and rebellion. He identified with us and was tempted in the same way as we are, but He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). And so, He alone was able to be the representative of mankind and overcome sin without it corrupting Him. We’re all born with a sin nature, our spirits enslaved by sin and in every respect dead to all that is good and right. Without intervention, we will remain in that nature and enter an eternity, separated from God forever. But God loved us too much to leave us without a chance to be rescued:
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
On Easter, we celebrate the fact that Jesus suffered and died in our place, taking the punishment of sin upon Himself. But more than that, He rose from the dead — showing that in Him is victory over both sin and the death that it brings. This is why He said:
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
We will all physically die some day, but by trusting in Jesus Christ — what He did to take the penalty of sin — we are promised eternal life.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He sets us free from sin, cleans us up, and makes us fit for the security of Heaven!
The military professional on the news program had mentioned that very specific protocol is followed in times of tragic circumstances like these, when an airman is lost in enemy fire. The missing airman knows what to do, where to go, and how to communicate his whereabouts. Rescuers know also what to do and listen carefully for the airman’s communication — and are ready to respond immediately to get him to safety.
God, also, has made His protocol clear. We’re all lost in sin, but all we need to do is recognize our dire situation, turn from sin, and look to Jesus Christ to save us. And without hesitation, Jesus will rescue us, forgive us, fill us with His Holy Spirit, and lead us to eternal life with Him.
On this Easter Sunday, can you say that you have the assurance of eternal life? Have you been rescued by Jesus Christ and find yourself now, on safe and solid ground?
These things He did, that you may live.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ (Romans 10:13).