Jesus Christ, Who Became the Atoning Sacrifice for Us

This passage sheds deep light on the scene of Jesus' farewell to his disciples and the human psychology revealed in it. In particular, through the way Judas Iscariot, who looked after the money, saw Jesus' power yet over time was corrupted by complaining and pride and finally betrayed Jesus, it points out a trap into which people of faith easily fall. At first people are grateful, but as time passes they compare themselves with the answers others receive, and when their efforts do not lead to reward, they commit the sin of judging God.

The sermon warns that such judgment ultimately results in the soul falling into hell, and emphasises how dangerous it is to put one's own righteousness ahead of God's grace. It also reminds us that Jesus Christ, by becoming the atoning sacrifice in place of all the sins of humanity, accomplished the forgiveness of sins once for all. Unlike the repeated sacrifices, Christ's sacrifice brought eternal salvation, and believers who know this must not judge themselves by the world's values but live only by God's standards.

We must not fall to Satan's temptation, defending our own righteousness and making excuses, but live lives of thankfulness and praise for the grace we have been given. Just as the apostle Paul devoted himself even in suffering, we must fulfil our mission to build up the church and share the gospel through spiritual worship, offering our bodies as a living sacrifice. Today's passage leads us to look back on whether we are living as believers who do not forget the blessing of eternal life, who value Christ more than the empty things of the world, and who devote themselves humbly.