43:10 "Why did Jesus have suffer and die such a horrible death? Is 53:3-5

Last Friday night, I watched the Passion of the Christ again with some of my church members. We were all struck by the intense torture and suffering that Christ endured! One might wonder why Christ had to suffer such a horrible punishment and death.
Surely there is nothing appealing about dying on a cross:
• Severe flogging. Victims covered in blood.
• Long, iron spikes driven into the wrists. Pounded into the feet.
• Nakedness. Exposed to the elements. Ashamed before the bystanders.
• Convulsions. Every little movement tearing at the hands and feet.
• Desperate gasps for air, as suffocation and exhaustion slowly snuff out of the life of the victim. (quote taken from Trevin Wax, Author of Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals at: http://trevinwax.com/2010/03/29/the-beauty-of-a-blood-stained-cross/

The plain and simple fact is that he had done nothing wrong? We were the guilty ones! He took the punishment that we deserved! His blood was shed so that we could escape the just penalty of our sins and be saved from the wrath of God! He took a beating so that we could be healed.

He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-5 (NKJV)

John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in him will not die but have eternal life. Thank God that he did not stay in the grave but he rose again on the third day. That gives us hope that though we die, we too have hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus!

Lets pray! Lord Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your life and taking my punishment so that I could be saved from the wrath of God. Thank you for taking my beating so that I could be healed. Thank you for your resurrection which gives me hope of eternal life! If I had a thousand tongues, I could never praise you enough for your goodness towards me. Help me to show my gratitude by living a life of obedience toward you and love for others! In Jesus Name! Amen!

Click on the left on enjoy "Don't Cry" by Kirk Franklin