"20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.
He was at the garden of Gethsemane when they came for Him. Our Lord was betrayed with a kiss. Like a criminal, He was led before the religious leaders of His days. After a night of insults, accusations and ridicule, Jesus was led out to the place of the skull. The road to Golgotha is rough. Yet He must carry His cross. The Lord bled from the streets of Jerusalem to the hill of Calvary. And there He was crucified. Matthew 26:33-36. They considered Jerusalem a holy city. Thus everything impure should be done outside of it. When He was taken outside of the city, the Jewish leaders thought they were cleansing the city of impurity. But how wrong they were! Jesus bore our sins outside the city so that we can go into the New Jerusalem, where we'll forever live with God. Revelation 21:2. He became our impurity so that we can become the righteousness of God. The Immortal One became mortal so that we can enjoy immortality.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.
At Calvary, He became our righteous substitute. Jesus took our place! It should have been you and me who suffered the eternal consequences of our sins. Instead, He gave His life for us. The Saviour was punished that we might be pardoned. Isaiah 53:4–5. He knew no sin of any kind. Jesus was pure, spotless, and perfect. Yet He became sin for us to be redeemed. We deserve the wrath of God. 1 John 2:2. Yet, He died in our place. He paid the wages of sin. No one else could qualify to be our sin-bearer. Isaiah 53:6. He was made sin so that we might be made righteous. Isaiah 53:10. Jesus was treated as a common criminal; not because He was but on account of our sins. At Calvary, there was a divine exchange.
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9.
He became poor so that we might be made rich. Jesus was made a curse that we might be blessed. Galatians 3:13–14. He Saviour became weak so that we might be strong. Jesus was wounded that we might be healed. He endured our shame so that we might partake in His glory. He endured rejections so that we might be accepted into God's presence. For a moment, Jesus was cut off from His Father, so that we might be reconciled to Him. We're now accepted as God's children based on the sacrifice of Jesus. He is our atoning sacrifice. Jesus tasted death that we might partake in eternity. Hebrews 2:9. He did not die because it was forced. It was a choice He made out of His love for us. Jesus gives to us eternal life.
ETERNITY WITH CHRIST:
"28 Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
On the cross at Calvary, our Lord suffered the agony of complete separation from God so that we wouldn’t have to—and His body was placed in a tomb till He rose to life again on the third day. Hallelujah! Jesus is not in the grave! The power of death could not keep him bound. He walked out of that tomb so we can walk in righteous hope until we meet Him face to face. This is indeed God's amazing grace! So are you prepared to spend eternity with Jesus? Is your name in the Lamb's Book of Life? You can make that decision right now! Take all of your sins and place them at the foot of the Cross now. Kindly say this prayer: O LORD, I come to You. I know I am a sinner, forgive me. Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus' name. Amen! Keep the faith.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, I thank You for the redemptive work Jesus did for us at Calvary.
2. Lord Jesus, I acknowledge Your sacrifice, and I believe in the power of Your resurrection.
3. Thank You, Father, for answering my prayers.
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS lyrics by George Bennard:
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
