If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then i will hear from heaven, AND I WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
I have only watched the movie “The Passion of Christ” once. I cannot see it again. It is too graphic for me. I know the actor in the movie is only pretending to suffer as Christ did, but it is hard to watch. To see the suffering of strangers is hard enough, but to see the suffering of a loved one is excruciating.
I think that is why in Exodus 12, we read how God asked the people of Israel to keep the sacrificial lamb (or goat) in their house for four days. Four days are enough for the family members to get attached to that small animal, mainly because it was supposed to be young and perfect. After the four days, the household would have to slaughter that beautiful lamb in expiation for their sins. I am sure that was not easy.
In doing that, God gave them a taste of what He would go through watching Jesus die on the cross. The only difference was that the blood of the small lamb would only cover the sins of Israel, but the blood of Christ wipes away our sins. Israel had the constant reminder that innocent blood had to be shed on their behalf, but I think we sometimes forget the high price Jesus paid for our forgiveness.
The relationship that you and I have with Christ cost Him His blood. The one who endured temptation but did not sin took our place. The one in honor of whom everything in creation was made did not want to live without us and chose to die for us. He was and will always be the Lamb of God who was slaughtered for our ransom.
My friends, this week I would like us to do two things. First, we need to remember how cherished we are. We are loved unconditionally every day of our lives. God gave the most precious thing He had to save us. Let us remember that the next time someone rejects us.
Second, we need to remember the price of our forgiveness. The next time the devil tries to mess with you for your past sins, remind him of the invaluable price God paid for the forgiveness of those sins and live every day as what you are, a blood-bought Saint of God.
Comments