Can you imagine someone choosing to die for you? Imagine that you deserve to suffer and die. And then someone who loves you, someone who is blameless and doesn't deserve it, takes your place. They choose to suffer and die in your place. Really, have you ever truly considered that? Can you imagine someone loving you that much that they want to save you from punishment and take it on themselves? ... wow... I'm not sure there's anything more powerful - especially in this world.
And that's what Jesus Christ did for me, for you, on the cross two thousand and some years ago - because of love.... you know the verse: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
I came across this image in a blog I follow the other day. At first I was a little disturbed by it. You may be too. It's an interesting take on the meaning of the crucifixion. It's gruesome. It's hard to look at.
But think of what it represents. You can't deny that it's powerful.To go along with the image, the blogger included lyrics from the song How deep the Father's love for us... "It was my sin that held Him there..."
Is it all depressing? Maybe if you don't understand what his choice of death meant, maybe if you don't know or believe the end of the story. For me, it's not depressing because it's not the end. The story of Jesus' death does not end with death, which is why I have the hope and joy and peace and so on that I do. And that is why Hailey's story doesn't end with her death either....
On the third day, Jesus rose again. On Sunday, I will celebrate His resurrection and the day He conquered death so I can have live and have hope in Him... so that I can be with Hailey again...
Today my heart cries out this song in worship of Jesus taking my place on the cross, dying for my sins, when I deserved death and he didn't. I live for Him because He died for me!
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Jesus, Today I remember you and your work on the cross for ME. Thank you for my husband and using him to bring me back to you. Thank you for dying for me and saving me from death and eternal separation from the Father. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins. Thank you for loving me when I don't deserve it. What you did for me on the cross is hard to understand, but it brings me to my knees and I weep in gratitude that you love me that much. So Jesus, my Savior, my Comforter, my All-in All, today I come, help quiet my soul and my busy mind, as I remember redemption's hill where Your blood was spilled for my ransom. You were tempted and trialed. You bore my sin and my death. Lead me to the cross where your love poured out. Bring me to my knees. Lord I lay me down. Help me rid me of myself for I belong to You. Lead me to the cross. Lead me to your heart. In Your glorious name I pray, Amen!
What does the Bible say? Read Isaiah 53:4-6, Romans 5:8, 1Peter 3:18
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