This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
He never did one thing wrong,They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.
Not once said anything amiss.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, I substituted in Timothy’s Sunday school class as an assistant leader. As this little group of five-year-olds waited for their parents to pick them up after class, I watched while each took turns “hanging” from a miniature “cross” that was placed against the wall in one corner of the classroom. “Look!” one of the little girls cried, “Timothy is nailed to the cross!” And sure enough, there stood Timothy...arms raised to the cross-beam...body pressed against the vertical post. I didn’t fuss at them... I just smiled at the children and nodded as I called the names of those whose parents had arrived.
These precious five-year-olds do not – and cannot – fully grasp the meaning of the cross. They have been told that Jesus died on the cross for their sins...they’ve seen pictures and heard stories. But they don’t fully understand what happened there...the “how and why” of it all, or the holiness – and healing - of this symbol. But the sad thing is...for the most part, neither do we.
Very few of us really grasp the power of the cross. It’s understandable that we don’t fully comprehend the grace, mercy and love that God extended to us through Jesus in this manner. Even more difficult for us to take in is how the wounds of Jesus became our healing...mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Jesus took everything that happens to us on His shoulders. He essentially asked, “What else have you got? I’ll take that, too!”
So the next time you start to start to worry and stew over something...think of the cross. When you are sick or injured, and fear and panic start to set in...remember that the wounds of Jesus are your healing. When you are confused or uncertain...when you face difficult decisions and circumstances...remember Whose you are. When all seems hopeless or you feel like you cannot take another step, remind yourself that you are named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your soul.
The One who never did anything wrong or said anything amiss paid a huge price for our “healing”. Isn’t it time we recognized Him? What does the cross mean to you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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