Rescue Operation

As we move past Holy Week on the church calendar, the stun­ning, self-giving love of Jesus on the cross reverberates in my heart.  “What wondrous love is this?”  The New Testament repeatedly points to Jesus’ suffering as “substitutionary”—Christ bore our guilt, he died in our place—for us, for you. Hear the Word of God—let it pour over you; bask in the wonder of the Savior’s substitutionary atonement:

>>Romans 5:8, But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. >>Romans 8:32, He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? >>Galatians 3:13, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. >>Ephesians 5:2, And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. >>1 Thessalonians 5:10, [Jesus] died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. >>Titus 2:14, [Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ] gave him­self for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. >>1 John 3:16, By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. >>Luke 22:20, And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” >>1 Corinth­ians 11:24, And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you.” >>1 Peter 2:21, For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. >>1 Corinthians 15:3, I delivered to you as of first import­ance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scrip­tures… >>Romans 4:25, [Jesus our Lord] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. >>2 Corinthians 5:21, For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. >>Galatians 1:4, [The Lord Jesus Christ] gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father… >>1 John 4:10, In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Friends, bow in worship!  These Bible passages take us deep into the gospel:  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).  Amen.