Through the death of Jesus, God gives you all things that are good for your soul. More than anything, he gives you what will make you more like Jesus.
We’re coming up on Easter, and I am loving it! Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada.
And all this week, I’m taking a look at some of the amazing things that Jesus accomplished for us on his cross – things that every Christian can and should celebrate. Now, a lot happened on that day at Mount Calvary, but one benefit is this: Jesus died in order to obtain for us all the many things that are good for us. Okay, so, yes, a home in heaven and escape from hell is one of those good things; praise God for our salvation, right? But there are other good things that Jesus secured for us on the cross. And one is mentioned in Romans 8:32. It’s an astounding promise; it says, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Oh, man, what a benefit, what a blessing! Because if God did the hardest thing of all – namely, give up his own Son to die for us – then it’s a no-brainer that he will do the comparatively easy thing – namely, give us all things with Jesus. And that leaves me breathless! But what does it mean that he gives us all things? Well, it’s not certainly an easy life of comfort – says the lady in the wheelchair – and it’s not even safety from injuries or enemies. No. When God gives us all things, it doesn’t mean he gives us relief from pain or a clear PET scan or a healthy bank balance. So what are the “all things” that God graciously gives us, along with Christ?
Simply this: God will give us all things that are good for us – that is, good for our souls. He’ll give us all things that we need in order to be conformed to Jesus Christ. He’ll give us the “all things” that we need to attain everlasting joy. If we need courage to face a trial, he’ll pour it out in abundance. If we need hope when all feels hopeless, he will brighten our horizons with his hope. God will give you all the grace needed and more to make you more than a conqueror. But the main “good thing” that he gives us is anything that’s going to make you more like Jesus Christ. God is heaven-bent on making that happen, and so, he will take you through the hard seasons and low valleys if – if – it makes you reach out to Jesus, cling to Jesus, pray to Jesus, and find your rest and peace in Jesus.
The suffering and death of Christ guaranteed that God will give us all things that we need to do his will, to give him glory, and to attain everlasting joy. And friend, that’s just one of the many things Christ secured for us on his cross that first Easter Week. And there are other things that happened on Mount Calvary, and you need to learn them. And so, I’m excited to offer you a special gift. It’s John Piper’s book, “Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die,” and it’s yours for the asking at joniradio.org. Dr. Piper’s a good friend of us here at the ministry and, bless his heart, he has kindly donated this amazing book for us to give to you. And so, if you want to go deeper into exactly what Christ purchased for you that day on the cross, then go to joniradio.org and ask for “Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die.” Every Christian should have a clear handle on exactly what happened that day, because it involves so much more than just our salvation. So, ask for your copy and share it with a friend, right, who needs a little help in understanding the glorious gift that God gave us in his Son Jesus on that day at Mount Calvary. Go today to joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends