Everyday Miracles: 20 Day Journey With Elijah And ElishaSample

Jesus hasn’t just died for you; Jesus has taken the wrath of God’s judgment against sin for you. 

Some wit once joked about a small plane that was transporting a doctor, a lawyer, a minister and a little boy. When the single engine aircraft developed engine problems, the pilot grabbed a parachute and told the four passengers to do likewise. Unfortunately, the passengers soon realized that there were only three remaining parachutes. The doctor proclaimed that he was needed to save lives, so he grabbed a parachute and jumped. The lawyer said he was needed because he was one of the smartest men alive, so the attorney grabbed a parachute and jumped. The gracious pastor looked at the boy and said, “Son, I’ve lived a long full life—I’m not afraid to die. Here, you take the last parachute because you have your whole life in front of you.” But the boy reached behind his seat, grabbed another parachute, handed it to the pastor and declared: “No worries Pastor. We’re both okay because the smartest man in the world just jumped out with my backpack.” 

Jesus isn’t like the nice, sacrificial pastor who offered his parachute to a little boy. No, Jesus did far more than replace you in the position of one who was certain to die (though that He did). Jesus came to receive the judgment of God against sinful humanity; Christ experienced the wrath of God. 

When the Samaritans rejected Jesus’ messengers, the disciples remembered the story of Elijah calling down fire on the soldiers of the wicked King Ahaziah. The disciples wondered if they should also call down fire. But Jesus rebuked them. Why? Was it because Jesus brought no fire? No, not according to Jesus’ words in Luke 12. Jesus indeed come to cast fire like Elijah. But the fire of God’s wrath was not cast upon the Samaritans, or you and me. The fire of God fell on Jesus. The Messiah took the fire for you so that you would only know the warmth of God’s affection. Your sin has been judged, punished and burned up at the cross. And that’s the Gospel!

Questions for Reflection

1) What is the worst thing you ever did? How did you feel? Were you punished? Take a few moments to remember the sting of guilt and pain of punishment. 

2) If Jesus took the punishment for you, then justice has been accomplished. How does it make you feel when you think of Christ experiencing judgment and wrath on your behalf? If Jesus paid it all on the cross, you are debt-free. You owe nothing! What are the implications of such sweet freedom?

3) As you think about Jesus taking the judgment due you, is there someone who has wronged you that you can forgive today? Take a few moments to journal about the pain you’ve experienced because of another’s sin and then, in faith write out your forgiveness (not a rationalization or an acceptance of the sin) to the one who has wronged you. 

Prayer for the Day

Lord, thank you for taking the fire of judgment against sin on my behalf. Receive my gratitude, honor and praise for the inexpressible gift of the cross wherein I have been set free from a weight of guilt I could not bear. Thank you for the infinite wisdom and mercy of your redemptive plan whereby you have become favorable toward me and I have been reckoned as the righteousness of Christ. Help me today to fully receive the infinite benefit of Christ’s cross and grant me the grace to let go of judgment against those who have sinned against me. I pray in Jesus’ name, AMEN.