Who [Jesus] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:14 NIV
This verse gives us the gospel in a nutshell. It tells us what Jesus, our great God and Savior, did, why he did it, and our appropriate response.
Jesus “gave himself for us.” Our great God and Savior took on humanity and offered himself as an atoning sacrifice on behalf of sinful humanity. He was not just a man performing a sacrificial act for another person. He was the God of creation, who gave himself on behalf of his creation. “Who gave himself for us.” It’s such a simple expression, but so profound.
Why did he give himself up for us? First, “to redeem us from all wickedness.” Redemption has to do with freeing a slave by paying the purchase price. Jesus, in giving himself up for us, paid the price for freeing us from our slavery to sin.
And, secondly, “to purify for himself a people that are his very own.” Jesus not only redeemed us from slavery to sin, but he also purified us and made us a part of his family. He has bought us and made us his own. We are his people, his treasured possession, a holy nation (Ex. 19:5-6, 1 Pet. 2:9).
And what should be our response as people belonging to Christ? We should be “eager to do what is good.” This is much more than just avoiding sin in our lives. It is a deep-seated desire to do good. To be the hands and feet of Jesus, following the example he set while he lived among us. And that should be our heart’s greatest desire while we abide here. To faithfully represent Jesus with all we are and do.
