Devotional: The Cross- Rescue

Galatians 1:4 (NIV)
"[Jesus] gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father."

Reflection

There’s a common belief that people are generally good—that deep down, we just need a little encouragement, a bit of guidance, and a few better habits to become who we’re meant to be. But Scripture tells a different story. The Bible is clear: we weren’t just morally confused or slightly off track. We were spiritually dead. Not weak, not imperfect—dead.

Spiritual death means total separation from God, the source of all life. It means we had no ability to work our way back to Him, no way to overcome the weight of our sin through effort or performance. We could not redeem ourselves. This is the hard truth that the gospel starts with—but it’s also what makes the good news so good.

God didn’t wait for us to clean up our lives. He didn’t leave us with a to-do list to earn His love. Instead, He initiated the rescue. Galatians 1:4 says that Jesus “gave himself for our sins to rescue us.” Not inspire us. Not simply instruct us. Rescue us. That word implies desperation, helplessness, and danger. It also implies compassion, urgency, and love.

This rescue was not accidental. It was not a last-minute fix. It was “according to the will of our God and Father”—God’s intentional plan to bring us back to life through the death of His Son. The cross was never plan B. It was always the way God would bring His children home.

The gospel reminds us that salvation is not something we achieve; it is something we receive. We don’t bring anything to the table except our need for saving. Redemption is a gift, not a reward. And that truth levels the playing field. It humbles the self-righteous and gives hope to the desperate. No matter who you are or what your past looks like, you are in need of rescue. And Jesus is the only one who can provide it.

If you're tired of trying to earn your way to peace, to purpose, or to God—stop striving. The rescue has already happened. The invitation is open. All that’s left is to trust in the One who gave Himself for you.

Prayer

God, thank You for loving me enough to send Jesus to rescue me. I confess that I often try to fix myself or prove my worth, but Your Word reminds me that I was completely lost without You. Help me to rest in Your grace and trust that Jesus is enough. Remind me that my salvation is a gift, not something I could ever earn. I surrender again to Your rescue today. Amen.

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

1. In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to earn God's favor?

2. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus rescued you rather than improved you?

3. How might your life change if you truly believed that your value is not based on your performance but on Christ’s finished work?

Scriptures for Further Study

• Romans 5:6 (NIV)
  “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

• Colossians 1:13–14 (NIV)
  “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

• Ephesians 2:1–5 (NIV)
  “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.”

• Acts 4:12 (NIV)
  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Dig Deeper

• Watch: “Sacrifice and Atonement” (The Bible Project)
  A visual explanation of the good news of Jesus’ rescue and redemption.

• Listen: “Why Did Jesus Need to Suffer and Die Publicly?” (Desiring God, John Piper)
  A deeper theological dive into the necessity of the cross.

• Listen: The Meaning of His Death (Tim Keller)

  How we struggle with the Cross.