Read: Isaiah 53:12 & 1 Peter 2:24

Reflect: Christ took everything wrong we did upon Himself. How does it make you feel to know that He took the punishment that you were supposed to receive?

Request (prayer): Thank Jesus for hanging on the cross and shedding His pure blood for your sin.

Crux Family,

Growing up with brothers and sisters can be a lot of fun.  It can also be very difficult at times.  If I got in a fight with one of my sisters growing up my parents would try to find out how the argument got started.  Inevitably, we would blame each other for causing the fight start.  I would say, “She started it!” and my sister would say, “No he started it!”.  I’m sure that sounds familiar to you.It didn’t happen too often but every once in awhile I would get in trouble for something I didn’t do.  Has that ever happened in your family?  Your brother or sister did something wrong but then you got in trouble for it?  Doesn’t that make you upset?  I’ve read stories were people have been in prison for 15 to 20 years only to be released after evidence comes in that says they didn’t commit the crime.  I couldn’t even imagine going through that.

A little over 2000 years ago something very similar to what we are talking about took place.  However, this was a divine transaction.  Every wrong that you have ever done, every evil thing that you ever thought about was placed upon Jesus.  1 Peter 2:24 says, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross”.  Not only were your sins placed on Him but He took the punishment for them as well.  Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

Why would the Creator of the Universe do this for us?  Why would He take our punishment?  I love what 1 John 4:19 says, it’s simple and to the point.  “Because He first loved us.”  The love that our God has for us goes far beyond our understanding.  Family, He sacrificed His own Son for you and I.  Let’s rejoice as Sons and Daughters of the Almighty God and thank Him for the deep love that He has for us.

By Timothy Kroeker