A production of Sola Media
Core Christianity: Tough Questions Answered

2 Things Jesus Did That Everybody Needs

by Le Ann Trees posted August 15, 2016

Woahhh!!! Very few of us can catch a thirty-foot wave like professional surfer Carlos Burle is doing here—and thankfully we aren't required to try! Yet, every human being is made in God's image and is required to meet his standard of perfect holiness. Here are two things Jesus did that we all need:

1. Jesus kept the law perfectly (Matt. 5:17; Rom. 10:4).

God made humans in his image, and everyone is responsible for keeping all of his commands (Lev. 18:5; Luke 10:28). When Adam disobeyed God in the garden of Eden, he brought guilt upon not only himself but also all his descendants because Adam represented all humanity.

Furthermore, the corrupt nature we inherited from Adam causes us to heap more guilt upon ourselves because everything we do is tainted by sin. Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, kept the law perfectly on behalf of all who trust in him for their salvation.

2. Jesus was the one and only perfect sacrifice for sin (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 10:12).

The author of the book of Hebrews reminds us that the Levitical priests had to offer sacrifices daily for sins, but these offerings could never take away sin entirely (Heb. 10:11). He goes on to explain:

But when Jesus had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Heb. 10:12–14)

No matter how hard people try to be right before God or how much they try to make atonement for their sins, they will never be able to do either fully. This is why God sent his Son into the world: he loved us too much to let us perish in our sins.

When you receive Jesus as your savior, his perfect righteousness is counted to you, and your sin is counted to him (Rom. 5:18–19). Peace with God is found only by his grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone.

Photo of Le Ann Trees

Le Ann Trees

Le Ann is a writer, editor, speaker, wife, and mom who enjoys the Southern California lifestyle, including flip-flops, the beach, riding electric bicycles along the 101, and an occasional salted caramel Americano from Lofty Coffee in Solana Beach. She is exceedingly grateful for both the loving kindness of many people and the sound Christian doctrine that helped her to keep on living after her son died in a skiing accident in 2006. She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California. Le Ann is managing editor of Beautiful Christian Life.

Sign Up for Email Updates