The Price Was Voluntarily Paid

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
John 19	Deuteronomy 7

What do we envision concerning Jesus' sacrifice on the cross on our behalf? We know His whole purpose in becoming a person was to be a sacrifice for our sin that we might have salvation. We also know that He was intent on doing the will of His Father. But do we envision his sacrifice much as that of Isaac whose father took him into the wilderness to offer him as a sacrifice? Isaac didn't know that he was to be the sacrifice, though he was cooperative with his father even to the point of climbing onto the altar as if he were to be the sacrifice.

Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf, however, was more volitive than Isaac's. That is, it was done as much as an act of His will as it was of His Father's. We can see this in his arrest. He did not resist, but went willingly with those who arrested Him. John 19:30, though, gives possibly the clearest picture of Jesus' voluntary participation in the sacrifice as any other. While suspended on the cross and after receiving the sour wine, Jesus said, "It is finished," meaning in the Greek, “The price is all paid!” And then, it says, "bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." Rather than the helpless dropping of His head as one who was being taken by death, with intent, Jesus 'bowed' His head and then, in full control, He dismissed His spirit.

Nothing was taken from Jesus in the whole process of His Crucifixion that He did not voluntarily give up. This He did on our behalf - "while we were yet sinners!"