Come Home to the Cross by Anne WilsonНамуна

Jesus’ Blood Canceled Our Sin Debt

Readers of the classic novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer know Tom is a mischievous boy whose antics often get him into trouble. But one day at school, he does something noble: he takes the blame for his soon-to-be sweetheart, Becky Thatcher after she accidentally ruined their teacher’s book. The punishment would surely be a humiliating and painful whipping, and Becky was terrified. The tension builds as the austere teacher questions each of the students by name, staring them down with a penetrating gaze. When Becky is in the hot seat, Tom shoots out of his and takes the blame. As a result, he got one of the worst whippings ever doled out in that schoolhouse, but he also gained Becky's love and devotion.

It’s a tough read, though, because we can feel the injustice: an innocent person punished for a crime he did not commit.

And it resonates deep in our spirit because we know the One who inspires that goodness - the One who not only carried the weight of our smallest of transgressions but Who bore ALL of our sins and suffered unimaginably on the cross in our place.

Our Jesus makes it clear in John 10:18 that He, like our fictional hero, chose to take the blame and that His life was not taken from Him without His assent: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” (ESV)

The gospels record details about the torture Jesus endured, which was far greater than a whipping, though He was whipped mercilessly with a throng of ropes that sported metal pieces and bone shards that would shred a man’s skin. After this beating, soldiers twisted a crown of large thorns on His head and smashed it further into his skin by striking Him with a cane. As if the physical punishment was not enough, they added insult to injury as they stripped him of his clothes and humiliated him with their taunts, curses, and spit.

This is hard to write; I’m sure it is hard to read. But it is a deep truth we need to meditate on: that our beautifully sinless Savior took the punishment that we deserve. He did it for you. And He did it for me. I pray that you join me in facing the sober truth that while our list of sins did this, Jesus took that list and nailed it to the cross. His love declares you and me - Not Guilty!

Reflective Questions:

• Can you think of another example of an unjust punishment and how does it make you feel?
• Jesus says in John 15:13 that laying His life down for His friends is the greatest act of love. Do you consider yourself His friend, and have you accepted His love? Why or why not?
• Many people, like Peter, say they will die for Jesus, but what are some ways you can LIVE for Him?

Prayer: Lord, help me to accept the fullness of Your love and to see myself as You see me: not as a dirty sinner, but as spotless as a newborn lamb. What a mystery that Your blood can make me clean in Your sight! May I always know You as my closest friend, the Shepherd who will leave the 99 to find me, and the one whom You love. Thank you for a love so great that You laid down your life for me. Amen!