Jesus Was Our Substitute, Not a Martyr - Love Worth Finding - April 2

Jesus Was Our Substitute, Not a Martyr

(GOOD FRIDAY) APRIL 2

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Yet, we esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray. We have turned, every one, to his own way. And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6 

Jesus Christ did not die as a martyr. He was not a helpless victim. He said, “I lay down My life…. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.” (John 10:17-18) 

The cross was not an accident or an afterthought; it was in the heart and mind of God before the world was framed. Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross. 

John the Baptist announced, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). More than 2,000 years before, as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death to take away the sins of the world, Abraham had told his son Isaac, “God will provide Himself a lamb, my son.” And sure enough, as Abraham and Isaac began their ascent to the top of Mt Moriah, a ram was waiting for them there. 

Jesus, the Lamb of God, died on the same day, at the same time, as the Passover lambs were being slain on Mount Moriah. No wonder then that Jesus said, “Abraham saw My day, and was glad.” (John 8:56) 

To the priests on Mount Moriah, Jesus Christ could say, “Put away your knives. Your work is over.  We need no more Passover lambs, no more sacrifices. The Lamb has died and has paid in full.” 

Don’t let this go quickly past you. Meditate today upon the price paid for your salvation. Read Matthew chapters 26 and 27. Hallelujah, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Israel: thank You for the Lamb! 

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. 

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