Eight

Today is an absolutely gorgeous day here in North West Washington.  Too bad I'm in school and at work for most of the day. Oh the irony. Here's day 8! Keep it up all you 30 Day Challengers! And if you haven't started, it's alright, you can finish the challenge with me. :) You can be 22 Day Challengers. Still just as cool!

Day 8

S Isaiah 53:4-5 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.  And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed. (NLT)

O Isaiah is talking about deliverance for Jerusalem (or Israel) through God's servant (the Messiah).  He prophecies what the Servant will endure for God's people.  That every sin of God's people (and ultimately the world) are placed on the Servant's shoulders.  

A  Do you really understand how great and important the Cross is?  We take it for granted so so often. God's Grace for us is incredible!!! If we could just wrap our minds around even a part of the Cross, our perspective would change drastically.  "He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed." Jesus Christ died and took your sins so you can have relationship with Christ.  Grace and Christ's sacrifice is at the center of Christianity (what Christianity should be.)! No other religion can claim that.  No other religion requires nothing but acceptance of God's gift: the Cross. His Son.

P  Lord, so often we take for granted what you did on that Cross.  Remind me daily of your incredible love and sacrifice.  Remind me that you have made me clean, pure, holy, but that cleanliness did come at a very high price.  You alone are good Lord. Thank you for accepting me just as I am.