I've grown up in the church. I've heard that "Jesus died for my sins" so often that sometimes I'm in danger of becoming numb to that wonderful fact. There are times when hearing that has about as much impact on me as someone commenting that it looks like it's going to rain.
But today I really stopped and thought about what that means. Jesus died for my sins. He didn't just die; He was tortured, mutilated, beaten and mocked. He experienced just about as much agony as is physically possible - all for me. My Sunday School teacher this morning addressed us with a challenge. After describing in detail the physical pain that Jesus went through, he said this: "The next time you're contemplating a sin, or trying to talk yourself into one - because we all have done that before - consider the agony that Jesus went through on the cross, and just remember, that that sin you want to commit is what put Him up there." Wow.
And Jesus wasn't the only one who went through agony. I always seem to forget about God's part in the resurrection story. Jesus is His beloved Son. Can you imagine standing by and watching your child go through something like that? Can you even attempt to picture the pain that God had to go through to actually sit back and allow that to happen to His Son? Easter is one of the few days that many people have spiritual things on their hearts. But God does not want a day of our lives devoted to Him. He wants our whole lives. I suppose since Jesus gave His life for me, it's the least I can do to return the favor.
But today I really stopped and thought about what that means. Jesus died for my sins. He didn't just die; He was tortured, mutilated, beaten and mocked. He experienced just about as much agony as is physically possible - all for me. My Sunday School teacher this morning addressed us with a challenge. After describing in detail the physical pain that Jesus went through, he said this: "The next time you're contemplating a sin, or trying to talk yourself into one - because we all have done that before - consider the agony that Jesus went through on the cross, and just remember, that that sin you want to commit is what put Him up there." Wow.
And Jesus wasn't the only one who went through agony. I always seem to forget about God's part in the resurrection story. Jesus is His beloved Son. Can you imagine standing by and watching your child go through something like that? Can you even attempt to picture the pain that God had to go through to actually sit back and allow that to happen to His Son? Easter is one of the few days that many people have spiritual things on their hearts. But God does not want a day of our lives devoted to Him. He wants our whole lives. I suppose since Jesus gave His life for me, it's the least I can do to return the favor.
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