In Galatians 2:20 the apostle Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Even though Paul knew that Christ’s love and sacrifice were for the whole world (John 3:16, John 1:29), yet to Paul, it was personal—it was for him. This verse reminds me to take what Jesus did personally, to think about what Jesus did for me.

He left heaven for me.

Philippians 2:5-11 tells me how even though he existed in God’s form, he gave up heaven, gave up his position, gave up his freedom, gave up his obedience, and even his own life for me. Why would he do that for me? Because he came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). He came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15-16) like me. He knew I would never be able to make it to heaven if he didn’t leave it and come looking for me.

He became human for me.

The word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 John 1:1-5). Hebrews 2:10-18 says that it was fitting that Jesus became human, that he is not ashamed to call me brother. He had to become human so that he could be tempted like me, though he never sinned (Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:15). Jesus became human for me so that I would know that he knows what it’s like, so he could be a faithful and merciful high priest for me.

He was crucified for me.

Christ died for my sins, according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3). He was wounded for my transgressions; my sins were laid on him by God (Isaiah 53:1-6). When he cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” it was for me and my sins. Paul was right about the crucifixion of Christ—he loved me and gave himself for me.

He was raised for me.

I’m so glad that he raised from the dead for me. He is now sitting at the right hand of God interceding for me, to mediate for me, advocating for me, serving as my high priest (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Timothy 2:3-5, 1 John 2:1-2, Hebrews 4:16-18, 8:1-2).

He’s coming back for me.

He hasn’t done this yet, but I believe that he will one day finish what he started. One of the great promises of the Bible is that he’s coming back for me (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 5:9-10). He wants me to live with him forever. Imagine that–He wants me!

The good news of Christ is that he did all these things and more “for me.” But not for me alone, he did it for you too. He hopes you’ll make it personal. He wants you to believe that he is who he said he was—the son of God (John 8:24). He wants you to say with your lips that he is Lord and to believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Because of all he has done for you, he wants you to turn away from your sins in repentance (Luke 13:3,5, 15:7, 10, 17-19). He expects you to be crucified with him, buried, and raised with him to live in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). He did it for you too.