Jesus Paid it all.....

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

                                                                                                                                               1 John 1:9

And that raps up the past three days...



Wow! Guys, I have to tell you about my weekend!! The past 3 days I have spent with 27 other people reading through the book "The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus." by John R. Cross
It has been such a refreshing study! And I am completely amazed, over and over again, about how much God loves us! How much He loves me! 

Going through this book, we have been taking a deeper look at all the events in the bible.  There were so many times where I exclaimed an "Aha!" Because I understood why something had happened, why someone did what they did, or said what they said. Points in the bible that didn't make sense to me before -- it all came together -- I finally understand! 

{This book is simple, clear, & consistent from start to finish. It does not get caught up in the more complex realities of the Bible, but simply communicates the heart of its message. It addresses the problem of sin, the plan of salvation, and the solution in Jesus Christ. It is a perfect evangelistic tool for sharing a chronological approach to the Bible with unsaved friends and family.} 

Chapter by chapter the excitement inside of me grew. I'm overwhelmed time and time again, about how great our God is! At the same time, there is this other feeling deep within me.....its a feeling to hard to explain. As I read the story of the cross, I was reminded how much agony Jesus went through, how much pain He endured, and the fact the He face ALL of Gods terrifying wrath....... All on my behalf. He took on my sin, all the punishment I should have received, even separation from God the Father. Jesus was beaten almost to death, then, with nails that driven through his hands and feet...he was hung on a cross, there He died! JESUS DIED IN MY PLACE!

THAT is love in all perfection. Yes, God is love, but not without tremendous cost. Jesus paid the price of our sin-debt. He died. Jesus paid it all. But why? 

"...So that in Him we might become the righteousness of God"
                                                                  2 Corinthians 5:21

And guess what...He did this voluntarily. No one forced Him to die. It was his choice.....a choice that was motivated by His love for us! Wow! My mind is blown!! Isn't yours? Why the God of the universe would humble himself and become human, so that he could be mocked, and spit upon, betrayed, beaten and then die suspended from a tree....all for a rotten sinner like myself......its unfathomable....this love. 

These song lyrics come to mind....

"Jesus paid it all...

....all to him I owe 

sin that left a crimson stain 

he washed it wight as snow.." 

I know I deserve eternal death! I deserve to be cast into hell, the lake of fire, where I would be separated from God forever! I deserve to have been beaten. I am most "un-perfect." But, with a love that I don't understand, God sent his PERFECT, SINLESS son as an atonement, a blood sacrifice, for my sin.  Jesus took my wretched, putrid sin upon himself, and then -- wonder of wonders -- he wraps me in HIS OWN righteousness..........

"....Greater love hath no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friend."

                                                                                                      John 15:13

"....But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

                                                                                                                                    Romans 5:8

I am completely flabbergasted. His love is totally AMAZING! I cant even contain myself. And I don't know what else to say except Wow-wow-wow-wow! 

"Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet
Your love is a mystery, how You gently lift me
When I am surrounded, Your love carries me
...
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
...
Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising
All the joy that's growing deep inside of me
Every time I see You, all Your goodness shines through
And I can feel this God song, rising up in me

...
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing" <3