"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, the might bring us to God." Peter 3:18
A missionary in Africa was telling the heathen the precious story of the life and ministry of our Lord. The natives gathered in a special clearing which had been made in the forest, while the servant of God told them in vivid language of the wonderful miracles and the sacrificial offering of Christ on the cross. Seated in the front row was the chief of the tribe who listened intently to all the missionary had to say. As the story came to its climax, and the chief heard how Christ was cruelly nailed to Calvary's tree, he could contain himself no longer, but jumped to his feet crying, "Stop! Take Him down from the cross; I belong there, not Him!" He had truly grasped the meaning of the Gospel, for he understood that he was a sinner, and the Christ was the sinless One.
Yes, Jesus took our place and died in our stead. In that He bore our sins, the just for the unjust, He has brought us back into fellowship with Father.
J. G. Mantle in his wonderful book entitled, Beyond Humiliation says: "To see what your sin really means, bring it into the light of the cross, and say as you gaze upon that marred visage and those pierced hands and feet: 'It was my pride, my lust, my unbelief, my selfishness, that pointed the nails and fixed the thorns.'"
As once again you recall that scene of the Son of God hanging there in "agony and blood," will you say from your heart, "I belong there!" Then go one step further and receive Him as you Savior, so that you can say with Paul, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live." If you will identify yourself with His sacrifice, God will identify you with Christ's righteousness.
"Bread For Each Day"
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