Jesus on the cross

He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. 

Jesus on the cross.

One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.

Jesus on the cross.

But the fact is, it was our pains he carried - our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.

Jesus on the cross.

We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures.

Jesus on the cross.

But is was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him - our sins!

Jesus on the cross.

He took the punishment, and that made us whole. 

Jesus on the cross.

Through his bruises we get healed.

Jesus on the cross.

We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. 

And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.

Jesus on the cross.

Isaiah 53:3-6 The Message
(with my additions of 'Jesus on the cross')

It is my prayer that by the time you read the scripture above, you have a deeper revelation of what Jesus did for you on the cross, and maybe like me you are weeping. Further on in Isaiah 53, the scripture says,

Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it - life, life and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.

Isaiah 53:10 The Message

And Jesus tells us exactly that in John 10:10

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so that they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they every dreamed of. John 10:10 The Message

Thank you Jesus that you came and freely gave your life for us so we could be reconciled with our heavenly Father and live a life better than we ever dreamed of. Help us please to be in step with you, Jesus. Amen

GOD wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 The Message