Why did Jesus die?
A church I visited a few years ago was giving out as part of their welcome package for visitors a book on the 50 reasons why Jesus came to die. Chapter 23 of that book was entitled: “So That We Might Belong to Him.” Exactly.
Paul, in writing to Titus, highlights this particular reason for the death of Christ.
“who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
Titus 2:14
There it is. For His own possession. Before coming to Christ, a person belongs to the domain of darkness(Colossians 1:13). Jesus died to make you His own possession. But note as well that He gave Himself to purify for Himself a people for His own possession. Those “people for His own possession” the Bible calls the church. And that is why Peter says what he says to persecuted Christians as to their true identity.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
1 Peter 2:9-10
Peter says that “once”, at one point in time, they were not a people. but now they are God’s people. Please note that the reason for this is not because of anything in themselves, but because of the mercy of God. This marvellous truth is further illustrated in God’s words to the nation of Israel.
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples”
Deuteronomy 7:6-7
God Himself chose them for His possession. And they were His “treasured” possession.
Christian, do you realize that the reason Jesus died was so that you are no longer your own. After all, you were bought at a price, that of His shed blood. May this be your mediation and adoration this Easter season, praising and thanking Him that you are part of His church, His own treasured possession.
“You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price.”
1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a
