GRACE

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

He personally bore our sins in His own body on the tree, as on an alter and offered Himself on it, that we might die(cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

YOU were on his mind, in his heart when he took the blows and felt the pain and endured unspeakable suffering. It was all for you, it was all for me.

Last night at retreat we read John 19:1-30. This is the account of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ our Lord. One of the things that struck me was how Pilate sat back in his judgment seat believing he himself somehow was to judge this situation. Now he didn’t want to make the decision, he wanted to make everyone happy so he was trying to pass the buck, but the reality is he thought the weight of this decision to crucify this man was on his shoulders. The truth is that no matter what he believed or what you believe about Jesus does not matter because HE IS THE KING OF KINGS regardless of what you decide about him!

God will have his way whether you choose to get on board or not.

Jesus answered, You would not have any power or authority whatsoever against (over) Me if it were not given you from above. For this reason the sin and guilt of the one who delivered Me over to you is greater. John 1:11

Grace is the free, unmerited favor of God as manifested by Jesus willingly going to the cross for your sins to pay a price you can not pay and die a death that you no longer have to.

It says in Romans 5:8 But God shows and clearly proves His love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
While we weren’t even born, had no idea who he was…he died for us! Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, satisfying the righteous wrath of God while displaying the redeeming love of God.

The rest of the crucifixion story brought us to look at the soldiers that were casting lots at the foot of the cross and the family, the community that was born out of this death. But none of that really matters much given the weightiness of the knowledge of our justification in Christ.

How about we look at these points later and just sit a moment and remember the perfect sacrifice that was made for us. Let us be stuck without words to express our awe at this perfect exchange. May we be forever baffled at how our account of sin was reconciled on the cross and may the rest of our days on this earth reflect a life whose firm foundation is rooted in grace.

Be at peace.