OUR SUBSTITUTE
Sometimes we feel that we don't get what we deserve. We feel that we deserved that break, that promotion, that role.
Sometimes we feel that we get something we don't deserve. We feel that we didn't deserve that criticism, that blame, that facebook comment.
What do we deserve? If we were totally honest, we would admit that we deserved that ticket or that condemnation - maybe not this time, but other times when we just didn't get caught.
This week we observe the terrible and awesome events that paid the price for our sinfulness. We do deserve to be condemned. There is no place for sin in heaven.
The blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ has purchased redemption - but only for those who accept Him as Lord and Savior. He offered his own life to be our substitute.
He died as our substitute. He lives as our advocate.
Don't dismiss this great gift of righteousness that can be ours through faith in Jesus Christ, our sacrificial substitute.
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." Rom 3:22-25
May we find the true meaning of the Easter message this week. It is so much more than the baskets and bunnies and candy that the stores want us to buy. The world wants to turn Easter into a trivial commercial occasion. Easter is the turning point in history and the difference between punishment and pardon.
None of us are so good that we can save ourselves -
none of us so bad that God can't save us.
He is our substitute,
Pastor Bob and Marion Rieth
Heb 2:16-18 "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
