Scripture: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12
Examination: Written by David, this beautiful psalm tells about the wonderful attributes of God, His mercy and forgiveness, His holiness and righteousness, and the benefits we have as His children.
Application: Yesterday, I went to donate blood. On my way to the facility, I thought about the possibility that my blood could save someone’s life, and as I prayed for who might receive my blood, the parallel between my blood helping save someone’s life and Jesus’ blood saving me came to mind.
It is so easy to say that Jesus bore my sins on the cross, but when I really think about what happened that dark day on Calvary, my heart is overwhelmed with sorrow. The ramification of what Jesus took upon Himself is much deeper than “the sins” of the world.
On the cross, He bore every depraved thought, every pornographic activity, every lie spewed out, every baby murdered, every illicit affair, every act of corruption, every vile word spoken against His beloved Father, every bit of filth that could ever be imagined… Jesus bore it all… every bit of the world’s evil and wickedness. All of these listed, and so much more, He was punished for on the cross. He paid the price for our sins with His blood.
The cost was so far beyond the physical beatings and torture. It was the first and only time in all of eternity that the Son was truly separated from the Father. Think about that for a moment. For all of eternity, the Father and the Son never knew one moment of separation, but that all changed as Jesus hung on the cross. He cried out in unimaginable agony, “…Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Why? To pay the price for our sins.
It cost me nothing to donate a pint of blood so that another person could have a chance to live. It cost Jesus everything to shed His blood so that you and I could have a chance to live eternally.
1 Peter 3:18 states, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” The next time you thank the Lord for forgiving your sins, take a moment to reflect on the cost and remember that He chose to do it because He loves us more than anyone could ever fathom.
Memory Verse: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
King of my life I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony,
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
(from “Lead Me to Calvary” by Jennie Evelyn Hussey)
I cannot fathom how much He loved me; so much, thatt He willingly took on my horrific sins and gave me His amazing grace.
Luke 12:48″…unto whom much is given, much will be required”. I can’t understand why GOD loves me, I just KNOW that HE does! In my quiet time I seek to know how to live a life glorifying HIM. HE doesn’t place how much is required of me; HE assures me that I will be empowered by Our HOLY SPIRIT to serve because of the love I have for GOD.