“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” Isaiah 53:3a NIV
Do you ever wonder if God understands your pain? Can He relate to what you’re going through? Yes! And not only does He understand, but He loves you enough to take your pain upon Himself!
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV
God’s love for you is so strong that He is willing to suffer so you can be free! As Jesus endured the pain of the cross, there was never a time He couldn’t have saved Himself instead of you.
“Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53
“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again.” John 10:18a NLT
So why did He do it? Why did Jesus willingly suffer the torturous pain of crucifixion?
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2 24:25 NLT
He suffered so you wouldn’t have to! He paid the penalty for your sin, so you can be forgiven. You’re not worthy. I’m not worthy. None of us are worthy!
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NIV
God feels differently. God believes you are worth it. He believes I am worth it. He values us that much. He loves us unconditionally!
How will you respond to His love today?