Advent Devotionals: Day 17

As a parent, I am a big proponent of rewarding good behavior. I’d say to my kids, “If you guys are good, we’ll go get ice cream.” Or “If you guys clean your rooms, I’ll give you a dollar.” But when it comes to paying the price for your salvation, Jesus didn’t reward good behavior. He didn’t say, “If you stop sinning, I will die on the cross for your sins.” He died while I was still a sinner. He died with no guarantee that I would ever turn to Him as my Savior. He paid the price then offered me the gift of salvation. And all I had to do was receive it. Truth is, if Jesus’ death on the cross for my sin was dependent on my good behavior, He would never have died.

Jesus Christ was sent by God to be the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. And the suffering Jesus Christ went through for us is unfathomable. Isaiah 53:10a says, “But the LORD was pleased to crush Him,” Why? Because Jesus Christ is our only hope of salvation. Sin is rebellion against a holy God and it must be punished in full. Reconciliation with the Father is only possible through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus bore our griefs. Jesus carried our sorrows in His body on the cross. He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. And by grace through faith we are saved from our bondage to sin and its consequences. He did this for you.

Prayer: Thank you Father for loving me so much that You’d send Your only begotten Son to bear my grief and carry my sorrows.

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