LIGHTHOUSE DAILY DEVOTION
(Sent daily except Sunday)
(Some of the Devotions are original, some are adapted)
June 14, 2021
NOT HIS, BUT OURS
(Sent in by Frank Williams)
Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities….”
It occurred to me the other day that if Jesus had not chosen to die (which He surely did), He would still be alive on earth today. It is certain that the Jews could not kill Him, for there were times when He merely passed through the crowd (Luke 4:30). The Romans could not kill Him, for though Pilate claimed to have power to crucify Him, Jesus let him know that it was not so (John 19:10-11).
The life of Jesus was not in Pilate's hands. He was not weak and impotent so that His enemies could have overcome Him. In fact, He said, Matthew 26:53, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” Neither was He guilty of a crime, and thus deserved to die because of His own sinfulness. Sin kills, and since Jesus had no sin, He had no wages of sin to pay for Himself. So, why did Jesus suffer Himself to be put to death?
The question is not simply a brainteaser, and the answer is not subject to the differing opinions of man. Many Scriptures make clear two great truths: 1) Jesus died as an alternative for someone else; 2) That someone else is each and every individual in all the world of mankind. Yes, it was "our transgressions" and "our iniquities" that caused His death. And since these were "ours" and not "His"…these had to be laid upon Him by the Father. Isaiah 53:6, “…and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
He did not die to show us how to die gracefully, or bravely: He died to pay our sin-debt, that we might not die eternally. And what He did does not need to be done again. He accomplished the complete satisfaction of the wrath of God for every person. 1 John 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
The great provision has been made in the Lord's sacrifice. The great potential of eternal life is available to all. What is awaiting? Your own personal recognition and acceptance of Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
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Wit and Wisdom – Come to Christ today; there may not be another chance.
Point to Ponder – You know you are getting old if you sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going.
