1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also died for sins
once for all,
the just for the unjust,
so that He might bring us to God,
having been put to death in the flesh,
but made alive in the spirit;
Devotional
Jesus took our place, that we might have His peace;
He took our sin, that we might have His salvation.
During the Civil War in Northern America a company of irregulars known as “bushwhackers” were arrested by the Union soldiers. Because they were guerrilla fighters and not in uniform, they were sentenced to be shot.
A courageous young boy in the Union army touched his commanding officer on the arm and pleaded,
“Won’t you allow me to take the place of one of the men you have just condemned? I know him well; he has a large family who needs him badly. My parents are dead and I have few friends. No one will miss me. Please let me take his punishment!”
The officer hesitated but finally gave his consent.
Pulling the husband and father to one side, the young man filled his position in the death line.
On the stone that marks his grave in a little southern town are these words: “Sacred to the memory of Willy Lear. He took my place.”
All of us have “come short of the glory of God” by rebelling against His holy will and commands. We stand condemned in the sight of Heaven. But there was One who loved us even while we were His enemies, and willingly left the realms of Glory to take our place and endure the punishment we justly deserve.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”
All the Lord asks is that we confess we are guilty and unworthy of His pardon, and
then by faith receive Jesus as our Lord, our Savior, and our Substitute, by taking up your cross and following Him.
Do this, poor sinner, and be freed and forgiven.
Then you too will be able to exclaim with joy and eternal gratitude,
“He took my place!”
He took my place, Christ set me free,
And paid my debt on Calvary’s tree;
Someday Heaven’s gates will open wide
To welcome me because He died.
Twitter: @SchoemakerHarry
Website 1: https://devotionals.harryschoemaker.nl
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