The salvation we\u2019ve received as a free gift came at a tremendous cost. It\u2019s easy to take it lightly when we didn\u2019t have to pay for it, but let\u2019s not forget: the One who gave it paid the highest price imaginable. Salvation wasn\u2019t accomplished by Christ simply staying in heaven and saying, \u201cBelieve in Me.\u201d That would have violated divine justice. God is holy, and the penalty for sin had to be paid fully.<\/p>\n
\nWithout the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.<\/em><\/p>\n
(Hebrews 9:22, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
For God to remain just and still justify sinners, someone had to stand in our place\u2014a substitute who was both fully human to represent us, and fully divine to be sinless and satisfy God\u2019s justice.<\/p>\n
So Jesus, the eternal Son of God, emptied Himself of His divine privileges (Philippians 2:6\u20138), clothed Himself in human flesh, and entered the world through the womb of a woman. He was not born in a palace but in a stable. He did not live in comfort but in poverty. He faced rejection, hunger, fatigue, temptation, sorrow, and betrayal.<\/p>\n
\nFor we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.<\/em><\/p>\n
(Hebrews 4:15, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
And yet, He lived 33 sinless years\u2014a spotless Lamb, fulfilling the Law completely, which we could never do. This qualified Him to become the perfect atoning sacrifice for mankind.<\/p>\n
But it didn\u2019t stop with His life\u2014it had to culminate in His death. The full wrath of God against sin had to be poured out. He had to go to the cross. And there, the sin of the whole world\u2014past, present, and future\u2014was laid upon Him.<\/p>\n
\nHe made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.<\/em><\/p>\n
(2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
His suffering wasn\u2019t only spiritual, but also physical. Many people imagine the cross as just another Roman execution. But Scripture makes it clear: what Jesus endured was far beyond anything ever seen before. His body was so brutally beaten that He was hardly recognizable as human.<\/p>\n
\nJust as many were astonished at you,<\/em><\/p>\n
So His visage was marred more than any man,<\/em><\/p>\n
And His form more than the sons of men.<\/em><\/p>\n
(Isaiah 52:14, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Can you imagine what that means? Take a moment\u201410 or 15 minutes\u2014and reflect on this: How could someone’s appearance be more disfigured than any human who has ever lived? It means the beatings, scourging, the crown of thorns, and the crucifixion tore His body to such an extent that He resembled a slaughtered animal more than a man.<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;<\/em><\/p>\n
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,<\/em><\/p>\n
Smitten by God, and afflicted.<\/em><\/p>\n
But He was wounded for our transgressions,<\/em><\/p>\n
He was bruised for our iniquities;<\/em><\/p>\n
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,<\/em><\/p>\n
And by His stripes we are healed.<\/em><\/p>\n
(Isaiah 53:4\u20135, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
These weren\u2019t ordinary wounds. These were substitutionary wounds. He was not suffering for His own sins\u2014He had none. He was suffering for yours and mine.<\/p>\n
Without this suffering, there would be no healing of our souls, no access to the Father, and no eternal life. His broken body and spilled blood became the bridge between sinful man and a holy God.<\/p>\n
\nFor Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.<\/em><\/p>\n
(1 Peter 3:18, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
So now, what will you say if you ignore this great salvation? If you die in your sins\u2014despite this free gift placed before you\u2014how will you escape judgment?<\/p>\n
\nHow shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?<\/em><\/p>\n
(Hebrews 2:3, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Today, salvation is available to you without cost\u2014but don\u2019t be mistaken: it is not cheap. It cost Jesus His life. That\u2019s why Scripture warns us not to wait.<\/p>\n
\nBehold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.<\/em><\/p>\n
(2 Corinthians 6:2, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Don\u2019t wait until the door of grace is shut. That day will come. And when it does, the only thing left for the unrepentant sinner is judgment and eternal separation from God (Hebrews 10:26\u201327). But if you repent today and surrender your life to Christ, you will not only receive the promise of heaven, but His blood\u2014so precious\u2014will begin to speak mercy, healing, and favor over your life right now.<\/p>\n
\nThe blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.<\/em><\/p>\n
(1 John 1:7, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
So if you haven\u2019t yet turned to Christ, don\u2019t delay. Repent today. Believe in Him as your Savior and Lord. He is not only the Judge of all the earth\u2014He is the dearest Friend you could ever have. The One who laid down His life for you.<\/p>\n
\nGreater love has no one than this, than to lay down one\u2019s life for his friends.<\/em><\/p>\n
(John 15:13, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
May His name be blessed forever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n