IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME ( 2 OF 5)
by Lenny Ports
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:15
This content is part of a series.
It Should Have Been Me ( 2 of 5)
Series: Death to life
Lenny Ports
2 Corinthians 5:15
Our key verse for this series: 2 Corinthians 5:15 ''...He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.''
During the U.S. Civil War, a farmer named Blake was drafted as a soldier. He was deeply troubled about leaving his family because his wife had died and there would be no one to support and take care of his children in his absence. The day before he was to leave for the army, his neighbor Charlie Durham came to visit him. ''Blake,'' he said, ''I've been thinking. You're needed here at home, so I've decided to go in your place.'' The farmer was so overwhelmed that for a few moments he was speechless. The offer seemed too good to be true. He grasped the hand of the young man and praised God for this one who was willing to go as his substitute. Sadly, Charlie was shot and killed in the first battle. When the farmer heard the bad news, he immediately saddled his horse and rode out to the battlefield. He found the body of his friend and arranged to have it buried in the churchyard near the spot where they had often stopped to talk after the services. On a piece of marble he carved the inscription with his own hands. It was roughly done, but with every blow of the hammer on the chisel, tears fell from his eyes. He placed the marker on the grave of his devoted substitute. Many villagers wept as they read the brief but touching inscription: He died for me.
I don't think we can really grasp this concept of Jesus dying for us. What does this mean? That Jesus went through the brutal agony of being beaten, flogged, pierced, and crucified in my place. My sin and your sin put Him on the cross so that the penalty for sin could be paid in full. He died so that you and I could live!
One way to understand the meaning of the death of Jesus is to imagine a courtroom scene in which we are on trial f ...
Series: Death to life
Lenny Ports
2 Corinthians 5:15
Our key verse for this series: 2 Corinthians 5:15 ''...He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.''
During the U.S. Civil War, a farmer named Blake was drafted as a soldier. He was deeply troubled about leaving his family because his wife had died and there would be no one to support and take care of his children in his absence. The day before he was to leave for the army, his neighbor Charlie Durham came to visit him. ''Blake,'' he said, ''I've been thinking. You're needed here at home, so I've decided to go in your place.'' The farmer was so overwhelmed that for a few moments he was speechless. The offer seemed too good to be true. He grasped the hand of the young man and praised God for this one who was willing to go as his substitute. Sadly, Charlie was shot and killed in the first battle. When the farmer heard the bad news, he immediately saddled his horse and rode out to the battlefield. He found the body of his friend and arranged to have it buried in the churchyard near the spot where they had often stopped to talk after the services. On a piece of marble he carved the inscription with his own hands. It was roughly done, but with every blow of the hammer on the chisel, tears fell from his eyes. He placed the marker on the grave of his devoted substitute. Many villagers wept as they read the brief but touching inscription: He died for me.
I don't think we can really grasp this concept of Jesus dying for us. What does this mean? That Jesus went through the brutal agony of being beaten, flogged, pierced, and crucified in my place. My sin and your sin put Him on the cross so that the penalty for sin could be paid in full. He died so that you and I could live!
One way to understand the meaning of the death of Jesus is to imagine a courtroom scene in which we are on trial f ...
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