The Exchange at the Cross 9/17
The Exchange at the Cross
The soldier unlocked Barabbas's chains. The iron fell from his wrists. Barabbas walked free. No probation officer followed him. No payment plan was arranged. He was free. But his freedom was not free. Somebody still had to carry a cross. Somebody still had to die. Jesus took the cross that belonged to Barabbas. Jesus died instead of Barabbas.
This is the heart of the gospel. Jesus did not merely die near sinners. He died instead of sinners. At the cross, the greatest exchange in history took place. Jesus took our guilt and offers us His righteousness. Jesus took our shame and offers us His acceptance. Jesus took our judgment and offers us His mercy. The innocent was treated as guilty so the guilty could be declared innocent.
This is not fair. But grace has never been fair. Fair would mean you answered for every sin you committed. Fair would mean you stood before God with no hope. But mercy stepped into the courtroom. Jesus took what you deserved. What does it mean for you that Jesus took your place?
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Prayer: Thank Jesus for taking the punishment you deserved.
Challenge: Tell one person today that Jesus took their place on the cross.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
The soldier unlocked Barabbas's chains. The iron fell from his wrists. Barabbas walked free. No probation officer followed him. No payment plan was arranged. He was free. But his freedom was not free. Somebody still had to carry a cross. Somebody still had to die. Jesus took the cross that belonged to Barabbas. Jesus died instead of Barabbas.
This is the heart of the gospel. Jesus did not merely die near sinners. He died instead of sinners. At the cross, the greatest exchange in history took place. Jesus took our guilt and offers us His righteousness. Jesus took our shame and offers us His acceptance. Jesus took our judgment and offers us His mercy. The innocent was treated as guilty so the guilty could be declared innocent.
This is not fair. But grace has never been fair. Fair would mean you answered for every sin you committed. Fair would mean you stood before God with no hope. But mercy stepped into the courtroom. Jesus took what you deserved. What does it mean for you that Jesus took your place?
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Prayer: Thank Jesus for taking the punishment you deserved.
Challenge: Tell one person today that Jesus took their place on the cross.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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2026
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March
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