He Took The Punishment
Dear Champions,
The short excerpt is by Steven Estes and Joni Eareckson Tada, and the Scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
"Son of Man (Jesus)! Why have you behaved so? You have cheated, lusted, stolen, gossiped-murdered, envied, hated, lied. You have cursed, robbed, overspent, overeaten-fornicated, disobeyed, embezzled, and blasphemed. Oh, the duties you have shirked, the children you have abandoned! Who has ever so ignored the poor, so played the coward, so belittled my name? Have you ever held your razor tongue? What a self-righteous, pitiful drunk-you, who molest young boys, peddle killer drugs, travel in cliques, and mock your parents. Who gave you the boldness to rig elections, foment revolutions, torture animals, and worship demons? Does the list never end! Splitting families, raping virgins, acting smugly, playing the pimp-buying politicians, practicing exhortation, filming pornography, accepting bribes. You have burned down buildings, perfected terrorist tactics, founded false religions, traded in slaves-relishing each morsel and bragging about it all. I hate, loathe these things in you! Disgust for everything about you consumes me! Can you not feel my wrath?"
Of course the Son was innocent. He was blamelessness itself. The Father knew this. But the divine pair had an agreement, and the unthinkable had to take place. Jesus was treated on the Cross as if personally responsible for every sin ever committed.
Reflect on the fact that Christ bore the punishment for your sins. He took the punishment you deserved. Do you feel His passionate and specific love for you? He died for you. He was condemned and cursed so that you could go free-He was forsaken by God so that you would never be forsaken (Hebrews 13:5).
Champions, have a great week!-David Vining
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