One can safely hypothesize that reproduction in plants and animals is premised on the concept of life for life. In John 12:24, Jesus Christ said emphatically: *“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”* This natural concept ensures food and nutrition security, and preserves generation upon generation. A seed of maize is unproductive for as long as it is locked in silos. Thus, there is need for the release of a life before there can be preservation of lives. A life devoid of selfishness!
The fall of man (Adam) in the Garden of Eden brought about eternal death; but the death and resurrection of the man, Jesus, brought about eternal life. *“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life”* (Romans 5:18). The remission, redemption and justification which the blood of animals could not offer, in the Old Testament, is what the blood of Jesus now offers us. It took the blood of lambs, goats, sheep, pigeon, etc., for the high priest to appease God for the sins of Israelites. In the New Testament, Jesus offered Himself as the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the entire world. He laid down His life by dying on the cross of Calvary, and He resurrected on the third day. The victory Jesus had, in the grave when He fought with death, gave us eternal life. The Bible says *“Death is swallowed up in victory”* (1Corinthians 15:55). The eternal life is a product of the unquantifiable love God has towards humanity by giving His only begotten Son. The devil’s mission is to steal, kill and destroy; but Jesus Christ has come to give life in abundance. He has come to destroy the works of the devil and establish life with His own life. He submitted Himself to His Father and yielded His life as a ransom, so that you will not remain under the law of sin. Is it not appropriate to reciprocate this love by yielding your life to Him? Jesus Christ said: *“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends”* (John 15:13).
Beloved, the dimension of this sacrificial love is unequalled. Nobody can die in your stead, but Jesus Christ paid the supreme price of laying down His life for you.
Friend, you need to exchange your life for His life by accepting His Lordship over your life. When you surrender your life to Jesus Christ, you experience a new birth and a new life. *Happy Easter!*
