Read John 19:1-42.
John 19 is, perhaps, the most sobering chapter in the entire book of John. It is in this chapter that Jesus is beaten and killed. It can be tempting to read through this chapter very quickly because it is hard to read everything Jesus went through to pay the price for our sins, disobedience toward God, but take a moment and reread this chapter very slowly. It is important to acknowledge the suffering Jesus went through on our behalf.
In John 19, Jesus underwent flogging, mocking, and a brutal crucifixion on a cross. He was whipped with a torture device called a cat of nine tails. He was rejected by the Jews. Although He was without sin, He was nailed to the cross and left to die. After these things took place, Jesus knew that His time for death was drawing very near. He said the words, “I am thirsty” (verse 28). Jesus was offered a sponge dipped in sour wine to drink. He tasted this wine and said, “It is finished!” (verse 30). As He said these words, He breathed His last breath and died. When Jesus said, “it is finished,” He meant that the punishment for the sins of the world had been paid in full. He had done everything necessary to pay the price demanded for our sin that we are unable to pay. Because of this, there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, or restored relationship with God. Jesus has done it all for us. When we try to earn salvation, we are working toward something that has already been done. And even more troubling, we cheapen the sacrifice Jesus made by trying to earn to it ourselves. Please don’t miss this. You can do nothing on your own to pay off one iota of your sin debt. We, as humans, either receive what Jesus did, or we don’t.
When you consider your life, are you still trying to work to earn your salvation, or are you trying to prove that you deserve salvation by good behavior? My friend, nothing you can do can earn salvation. Jesus has already paid the price in full. You can rest in His grace today.
Spend time today praying to God. Thank Him for sending Jesus Christ to pay the price demanded for your sin in full. Tell Him you trust that His death on the cross and resurrection provided the full payment required for your sin. If you have been trying to work off your debt and earn God’s love and favor, tell Him you are sorry.
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