Have you ever owed money to someone that you could not pay? It could be the source of grief, stress and loss. More than monetary debt, we had an overwhelming sin debt that we were inadequate to pay.

JESUS CHRIST, who was ordained by GOD, came to pay this sin debt for us because we were lost in our own transgressions. So, what did JESUS do for you? HE died. He rose. He paid your sin debt and gave you a right to the tree of life. Salvation.

Isaiah 53:4-11a (Good News Bible Version) recounts the sacrifice of our Suffering Servant in this way:

“But He endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne. All the while we thought that His suffering was punishment sent by GOD.

But because of our sins, He was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment He suffered, made whole by the blows He received.

All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going to his own way. But The LORD made the punishment fall on Him, the punishment all of us deserved.

He was treated harshly but endured it humbly; He never said a word. Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be sheared, He never said a word.

He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die, and no one cared about His fate. He was put to death for the sins of our people. He was placed in a grave with those who are evil, He was buried with the rich, even though He had never committed a crime or ever told a lie.

“The LORD says, ‘It was My will that He should suffer. His death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness. And so He will see His descendants; He will live a long life, and through Him My purpose will succeed.’

“‘After a life of suffering, He will again have joy.'”

 

We have so much to be thankful for! After this affliction, JESUS rose from the grave, overcoming death and the grave. He completed His mission, and He did it for us.

 

By: Special Contributor and Teacher Rodney Evans