SWHW Bible Reading Plan: AprilSample

Top Takeaway From Audra Haney:

Jesus paid it all. We sing it in the hymns. We see it on the bumper stickers. We base our entire faith journey on this fact, this moment, on the cross where Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. 

But, how often do we really sit and let this reality wash over us?

The betrayal? The beatings? The rejection? The lies and accusations? The physical and emotional pain of it all? 

The Savior of the world, enduring the worst to give us His best. 

Though I’ve read the account of the cross many times in my life, I hardly ever focus on the fact that Jesus even had to willingly give up His spirit in the end, just to die. Just as He tells Pontius Pilate, He was an all-powerful King, with infinite power to preserve His physical body, reject the cross, and bypass this horrific circumstance. It would have been incredibly easy to do so. 

He is life and light- so He had to make a blatant choice to bear sin on our behalf and die. 

But, can I remind you today that He chose you? His love for you held the Redeemer to the cross. His love for you prompted Him to choose a cruel, Roman execution despite His innocence and absolute purity. 

He chose death to give you life. He chose the pain for your healing. He chose the rejection for your everlasting acceptance into the arms of the Father. 

He chose you, friend.

May this fact leave us ever in amazement and always choosing Jesus, too.

Precious Jesus, thank You for what You endured for us. Thank You for choosing us and pursuing us and writing the world’s most beautiful love story. We are forever changed by Your sacrifice and we love You, too. Help us to pick up our cross daily and follow You.  Amen.