“He could have called ten thousand angels, To destroy the world and set Him free. He could have called ten thousand angels, But He died alone, for you and me.”

This popular hymn has been running through my mind for a couple of days now. Not because of the catchy tune that goes with it, but because how it reminds me of what Jesus did for me…for all of us really. It was always a part of God’s plan to send His Son to redeem mankind from sin, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” (1 Peter 1:18-20)

The word “foreordained” Peter uses to describe the work of Jesus comes from the Greek word proginosko meaning “to have knowledge beforehand.” Literally, Jesus knew before He created this world, that He would have to give His life as a ransom for the sins of mankind. If we were in that position, we might not want to create any human and even if we did, we would not want to suffer the justice for sin in their place…but Jesus did. Then the question becomes why? Why would Jesus allow Himself to be humiliated, blasphemed, and put to death? Hebrews 2:9, 10 puts it into perspective, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

To “bring many sons (and daughters) to glory.” Jesus died so that we may have the enjoyment of heaven with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. It’s not that God needs us to be in heaven, as though He is not complete without us. He wantsus to be with Him! The love of God is so great, that He wants His creation to experience it for eternity!

Yes, Jesus could have stopped the crucifixion with 10,000 angels, He could have ended the scene of humiliation and suffering before it got out of hand. But He died alone…for you and me. 

By: Justin Odom