Mercy Has Won!
Jesus’ life was not simply taken from Him on the cross. He willingly gave His life. He was not murdered in the sense that His death was outside of God’s purpose or beyond Jesus’ control. Jesus Himself said:
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”
— John 10:18
Jesus had legions of angels waiting for His call. When Peter tried to defend Him, Jesus said:
“Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”
— Matthew 26:53
Jesus knew what He was about to face. When He prayed in Gethsemane, His anguish was so great that His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
— Luke 22:44
He knew He was about to carry the weight of sin for all generations—past, present, and future.
He prayed:
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
— Luke 22:42
Jesus accepted the Father’s will and everything that came with it—not because it would be easy, but because of His love for us.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
— John 15:13
Jesus’ life wasn’t taken from Him. He gave it freely.
He gave His life for you and me. He gave Himself for our ancestors, for us, and for generations yet to come.
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”
— 1 Peter 3:18
Jesus never promised that we would never face hard times or difficult things. He never said the walk would always be easy.
But He did promise:
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
— Hebrews 13:5
He promised us a Comforter—the Holy Spirit.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.”
— John 14:16
You see, if you believe in Him, Christ lives in you. And when He is onboard your vessel, the storms of life do not have the final word.
Remember when Jesus and His disciples were caught in the storm? The waves were crashing over the boat, but Jesus was with them. He stood up and commanded the wind and the waves, and there was calm.
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
— Mark 4:39
I know we are all dealing with stress—health issues, financial issues, family issues, and worries about the world around us.
Remember that Jesus Himself experienced tremendous anguish. He understands what it means to carry an enormous burden.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses.”
— Hebrews 4:15
He is with us. He lives in us. He defeated sin and the grave.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:54
At the cross, Jesus was not a helpless victim whose life was taken from Him. He willingly gave Himself. He defeated sin and death.
“Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
— Colossians 2:15
And when Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
— Matthew 27:50–51
The veil was broken. Through Christ, we now have access to God.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near to God with a sincere heart.”
— Hebrews 10:19–22
If you believe, you are a child of God, and Christ lives in you.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
— Colossians 1:27
And through the Holy Spirit, Jesus commissioned His followers to proclaim the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and demonstrate the power of God.
“And these signs will accompany those who believe...”
— Mark 16:17–18
Does “raise the dead” always mean physically raising someone from a coffin or grave? It can be understood literally in the biblical accounts of Jesus and His apostles. But there is also a spiritual reality: bringing the message of Christ to those who are spiritually dead.
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.”
— Ephesians 2:1
Take the power of the Word to the lost. Live your life in such a way that your life speaks for Christ. Let Jesus shine through you.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16
Remember, Jesus gave His life for us. It was not taken from Him against His will. He willingly laid it down.
He defeated sin.
He defeated death.
He defeated the enemy.
He triumphed over the powers of darkness.
Jesus won the victory!
We will still face hardships and storms in this life. It won’t always be easy. But He is with us every step of the way.
Sometimes we carry burdens that other people cannot understand because they have never walked through what we are walking through.
Think about Little James from The Chosen. He watched Jesus heal others and even raise the dead, yet James himself was not healed. The show portrays Jesus explaining that James had a particular purpose in carrying what he was carrying.
That is a powerful reminder—but remember, that conversation is from the television series, not a recorded conversation from Scripture. The Bible does teach us that God can work through our suffering and that our lives can testify to His grace.
Paul wrote:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
So whatever burden you are carrying, remember that God can use your life and your testimony to reach people who may never listen to anyone else.
You have a purpose.
Just as Jesus accepted the Father’s will and gave His life for all of us, we are called to surrender our lives to God and allow Him to work through us.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.”
— Romans 12:1
Let your life preach.
Let your light shine.
Let Jesus shine through you.
Remember: you and I fight from victory, not for victory.
Jesus has already won the victory through His death and resurrection.
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:57
So when the storm comes, remember who is in the boat.
When the burden gets heavy, remember who is carrying you.
When fear comes, remember who has already defeated death.
When you feel like you cannot go another step, remember that His grace is sufficient.
Mercy has won.
Jesus has won.
Victory belongs to Christ.
Amen!