3 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

2 Samuel 9-11
Luke 23:32-56

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Luke 23:38 (CSB): “An inscription was above him: ‘This Is the King of the Jews.'”

Reflecting on God’s Word

When 1st century Romans crucified someone, they did so as barbarians. They found a sort of sadistic pleasure in torturing a criminal in such a way that it dragged out their death for all to see. When death finally came for the helpless criminal, it was a welcomed guest.

But the Romans had to maintain some semblance of order and justice. So, they nailed a placard to the cross of each criminal. They carved the supposed crime that the criminal below was dying for on that placard.

For what crime did Jesus die, at least as far as the Romans were concerned? All we need do is look at what they wrote on the board above him.

Luke 23:38 (CSB): “An inscription was above him: ‘This Is the King of the Jews.'”

Basically, Jesus was accused of being an insurrectionist. He was accused of being a threat to Caesar’s leadership. (Clearly, Jesus was NOT an insurrectionist. He made it clear that His “kingdom was not of this world” [John 18:36].).

“But,” you may ask, “I thought Jesus died for the sins of everyone who would trust in Him. I thought THAT was the crime for which He died.”

And you would be right. That’s why the Apostle Paul said that in God’s eyes, something else was nailed to that cross besides Jesus and that wooden placard. Something else showed that Jesus was seen as guilty of all the sins we would ever commit in our lifetime.

Colossians 2:13-14 (CSB): “And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.” (emphasis mine)

When God looked at the cross, He saw Jesus. When He looked at what was nailed to the cross for which Jesus was dying, He saw every last one of your sins and mine.

So, if you are trusting in Jesus to save you from God’s judgment and wrath, then Someone had to die to pay your sin debt. Either you can die an eternal death apart from God and receive the consequences of your guilt, or you can let Jesus do it for you on the cross.

Have you thanked Jesus recently for what He did for you on that cross? If not, why not right now?

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you to realize just how wonderful of a gift His grace and forgiveness is for you.
  • Express your gratitude to Him right now.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into God’s forgiveness of our sins, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What does it mean that God will blot out our transgressions?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)