Today's Reading:O.T. - Isaiah 52 - 54
N.T. - Romans 5:1-11
Focus Verses: Isaiah 53:4-6
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But 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. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Insight:
God's deliverance and salvation of humanity was purchased at a great price. God sent his son, Jesus, into the world to redeem the world from sin. Christ Jesus shared our humanity, but he lived without sin. He suffered violence and death at the hands of sinful men in order to subvert mankind's bondage to sin. Jesus, like all other humans, experienced sin and evil. But unlike all other humans, he himself was without sin. He was wounded and hurt by others, but he never hurt or wounded anyone else. That is why his death is able to bring us peace. He has purchased, by his death, new life for all who turn to him in faith.
Response and Action:
I believe that Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day, he rose again, in accordance with the Scriptures. I believe that Jesus has purchased salvation and new life for sinful humanity. I believe that God loves the world, and so he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
O God, thank you for Jesus, your son, my Savior. Thank you, Jesus, for your willingness to suffer death in order to give me life. Help me to live my life by faith in you with reverence and thanksgiving. Make me a witness of your love and salvation. Help me to take up my cross and follow you. Give me a heart like yours--willing to sacrifice in order to bless others. Amen.
Proverbs: 26:12
"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
Resources:
Recovering the Scandal of the Cross: Atonement in New Testament & Contemporary Contexts
by Joel B. Green and Mark D. Baker
