The first few words of Hebrews 12:3 in my Bible, says, “For consider Him…” This phrase has been rolling around in my heart for a few days: Consider Him.

Consider means to think carefully about something; to give thought to; to reflect upon– Him.

Consider Jesus.

The rest of the verse says, “Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up” (Hebrews 12:3). In times of struggle and opposition, remember your Savior. Think on Him. Reflect on His purpose, His love, His grace, His exchange.

It’s important to never lose sight of what Jesus has done for us but all the more, during Holy Week, we are even more intentional. And this is a good thing. It is why Jesus instituted communion for His disciples– to keep their hearts ever mindful of the price He would pay for our salvation. “Do this… in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

As we consider Him, it’s equally important that we correctly see what Jesus did. The world might define Him as a martyr. But Jesus didn’t come to lay down His life as a martyr. What do I mean? Well, a martyr is one who willingly suffers death or endures great suffering on behalf of a belief, principle, or cause. Jesus certainly came for a cause. In fact, this was His exact response to Pilate on the day of His crucifixion: “You say rightly I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

Jesus had a cause but He wasn’t a martyr. He was a substitute.

By definition, a substitute is one who takes the place of another. Jesus didn’t die a death He deserved. He willingly laid down His life in exchange for mankind. He stepped in and said, “I’ll take their place.”

Consider this.

Think about what He did for you and I. Jesus is much more than a martyr (one who died for a great cause). Jesus died for us. But more than that, He TOOK OUR PLACE. A martyr dies willingly (which Jesus did); but a substitute trades places with another.

When we see Jesus correctly as our substitute, it helps us receive all that was exchanged on our behalf. The Bible says He became sin so we could be made RIGHTEOUS (2 Corinthians 5:21); He became poor so we could be made RICH (2 Corinthians 8:9); He became weak so we could be made STRONG (2 Corinthians 12:10); He received death so we could have LIFE (John 5:24).

As grateful as we are that Jesus died for us, if we only see Him as a martyr, we’ll never walk in the fullness of what He paid for us to have. He said in John 10:10, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (MSG)!

Jesus took our sins upon Himself, receiving what rightfully was ours to pay. But that’s not all. He defeated death, hell, and the grave and was raised triumphant! Don’t leave Jesus on the cross. Martyrs die and that’s the end. But our LORD JESUS didn’t stay in the grave. He rose again! “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of [the Father’s] nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).

Begin to see Him off the cross, at the right hand of the Father, having obtained everything you and I need to live victoriously!

Consider Jesus– our High Priest, our Reigning King, our Victorious Savior! Consider His love– which still extends to you and I and every other believer over all these centuries. Consider the beauty of your salvation and treasure it.

Happy Easter! May you always be mindful of the great love with which He has loved us.