Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared some devotions. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.
It’s understandable why those who do not believe in God, or Christ’s resurrection, can feel Christ’s death is confusing, and possibly even pointless. Even for those who believe in God, it can be hard to comprehend just how much God sacrificed for us.
Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
It all started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when they disobeyed God, resulting in each one of us becoming sinners. To atone for all our sins, Jesus willingly suffered and died at Calvary just for you and for me.
He canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us. He erased it all—our sins, our stained[j]soul—he deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved! Everything we once were in Adam[k] has been placed onto his cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation.
Colossians 2:14 (The Passion Translation)
He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace— Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race
I cannot imagine how God felt as he watched his son die on cross, so we could be forgiven. I cannot imagine how Jesus felt, knowing he had to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, by dying alone, on a cross, at Calvary.
Would you willingly have swapped places with Jesus, knowing the pain and the agony that lay ahead, if it was the only way to repay a debt owed by those you love?
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 (NLT)
Our future changed forever when Jesus died on a cross. Can you imagine what life would be like for us today if Jesus hadn’t died and then risen again? Thankful we don’t have to, as our debt was paid by Christ when he paid the ultimate price for us.
We usually associate the words of of ‘And Can It Be’ written by Charles Wesley, with a rousing, uplifting melody. However, today I share a beautiful devotional setting by Dan Forrest (arr. Andrew Wainwright.
And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Saviour’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace— Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
The Distinct Dot 