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Tuesday, November 19, 2013
By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo
Swapping Places
Romans 5:8 But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
A Korean Pastor tells the story of a Korean man who had two sons in the 4th century AD. The elder son rose to become Chief Justice in the land, and the younger became an infamous bandit.
The elder brother loved his younger brother but was unable to persuade him to change his ways.
Eventually the younger son was caught and brought before his brother, the Chief Justice. Everyone in the courtroom thought the younger brother would get off because it was well known that the Chief Justice loved his brother.
But at the end of the trial, the Chief Justice sentenced his brother to death.
On the day of the execution, the elder brother came to the prison and said to his brother, "Let's swap places." The younger brother agreed thinking that the execution would not go forward once the guards realized that it was the elder brother
He went up the hill to watch the proceedings. His brother was brought out at dawn and to his horror........he was executed.
Filled with remorse, he ran down the hill and told the guard his name and that he was the criminal who should be executed. The guard said to him, "There is no sentence outstanding on anyone with that name."
The oldest brother could have simply let his brother off the hook or could have given him a lighter sentence. However, in doing so, the younger brother would have always been persecuted and judged for his sins. Instead, the older brother completely took his place --- giving his brother a fresh start in life.
To me, one of the most special things about what Jesus did for us is that He died for us while we were "still sinners." He didn't wait until we were perfect. He didn't wait until we had our "acts together." He laid it all down for us. Too often, people wait to give their lives to Christ or to go to church or to pray until they feel that they are righteous or "good" enough.
However, Isaiah 64:6 says, "our righteous acts are like filthy rags..."
I challenge you today, to always go to Him no matter what condition your heart is in. Don't wait until you feel righteous enough...that will never happen. He is the ONLY one who can make us righteous and can make us whole.
Dear Lord, Thank You for loving me even while I was still in my sin.
I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. | 
