One of the best quotes in the Rings of Power is “True creation requires sacrifice.” It has been said a few times throughout the show so far; first by Celebrimbor to Elrond in the second episode of the first season when they were discussing the Silmarils, and that same smith used it on Galadriel later in the season to convince her to sacrifice her brother’s dagger to make the Elven rings. In season two, Annatar said that this principle was the most permanent lesson he’d learned from Celebrimbor when he revealed he’d infused the nine rings with his own blood. Being so obviously stated these three times, this is an overarching theme in the show.

“True creation requires sacrifice.” Whenever I hear this quote, however, what comes to my mind is not the rings, but God’s ultimate creation, redeemed mankind, which required the ultimate sacrifice, the death of Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God. This is the most glorious manifestation of this principle that is possible! God created mankind upright, but by disobeying the only command given to them, they became fallen creatures, totally unable of themselves to do anything pleasing to God.

Man now had an infinite debt of sin which could only be paid by infinite torment and separation from God. Because he is a mortal being, infinite would mean an infinite duration. It would take an infinite Person to ever completely, finally pay this debt. Man’s position looked hopeless at this point.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,” (Ephesians 2:4) found a way to redeem mankind – the only way. “He gave His only begotten Son;” sent Him into the world as a mortal yet unfallen human who at the same time retained His deity. He was the Sacrifice who was sufficient to cover our sins, and His Father poured out His wrath on Him instead of on us. Christ lived a perfect life, died a perfect death, and rose from the dead after three days, defeating sin and death for once and for all. He was the substitute for us, taking on our sins, and it is only through Him that we can be reconciled to God. We can do that by simply accepting this gift of redemption and placing our faith in Christ, making Him our only hope for forgiveness, knowing we can never please God outside of Him. Then we just have to live a life of dedication to God, rejoicing and finding our rest in Him.

This Easter weekend we celebrate Christ’s victory on the cross – the sacrifice required for the most remarkable creation ever. Happy Easter, everyone!

I once put the Scripture passage Philippians 2:5-11 into verse, and I think it’s appropriate here.

On high He dwelt, the Holy Son,
The great I Am, the Lord
With Father and with Spirit one,
By all in Heav’n adored

But then, in perfect grace and love
He looked upon man’s state.
Forsook the glories of above,
And chose a mortal’s fate.

He chose to leave behind His might,
His honor and His bliss,
And stooped to be a serving light
To such a world as this

Accomplishing His Father’s will –
To do this was His bread.
Though mortal He was holy still
In all He did and said

When God required that He should die,
Our guilt be on Him laid
The masses shouting “Crucify!” –
He lovingly obeyed.

When God Himself forsook His Son,
And dark spread through the land
A mighty victory was won
By our great Savior’s hand

For He was raised – the One who died
Gained power over death –
And by our Lord was glorified
That all should sing His worth

Then let us have this serving heart
With great humility
That we, in this life’s every part
Might like our Savior be