His servant body

He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25 MSG

As I am writing this I realise that the worship music that is playing in the background is 'Once Again' by Matt Redman. The song starts with..

Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice

You became nothing, poured out to death

Many times I have wondered at your gift of life

And I am in that place once again

I'm in that place once again

Yes, that is exactly what is happening in my mind and heart as I read the scripture 1 Peter 2:24-25. I am wondering again, wondering in amazement at all Jesus did for us, for me, on the Cross. The way Jesus came to earth to be with us. The pain that Jesus suffered when He had done no wrong, so we could be free to live the right way. His sacrifice for us. This scripture from Philippians describes His humility and sacrifice.

Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained.  But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Philippians 2:5-8 AMP

Jesus sacrifice was all part of God's master plan to reconcile us back to Him. A way for us to be in relationship with God again. God never gave up on us. Paul explains this truth in Colossians,

And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him [the Father] made peace by means of the blood on His cross. And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities, Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father's] presence. Colossians 1:20-22 AMP

It was always God's plan to bring us back into His presence, to commune with Him once more. One final scripture to 'wonder on', Jesus prayer when He was in Gethsemane,

And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and kept praying that if it were possible the [fatal] hour might pass from Him. And He was saying, Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible for You. Take away this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You [will]. Mark 14:35-36

Thank you Jesus for your obedience to your Father and the sacrifice you made so we could be free to live the right way. 

Question for today, is there an area in your life that God is asking for your obedience or for you to make a sacrifice? What has your response been so far? Ask God to help you to come to the place where your prayer can whole-heartedly be the same as Jesus, yet not what I will, but what You will.