Oftentimes, relating to the majesty and vastness of God’s hand and Presence in the world makes it impossible to remember that He is a very personal God. Our salvation experience comes from an intimate encounter with the Spirit of God and the revelation of Jesus’ sacrifice that brought our deliverance from bondage to sin, to freedom and everlasting life as a son or daughter of God. His great love for us brought him to, and through the cross unto the Resurrection, we celebrate today.
His Resurrection also demonstrates God’s power to bring the dead to life. Jesus Christ is the first fruit of the reality that every believer will dwell in with Him forever. Because He lives, we shall live.
But amidst the sermons and celebrations, let’s not forget the personal nature of His sacrifice. He went to the cross for the joy set before Him, which was ransoming you and me. We personally sent Him to the cross. If we had no sin to be atoned for, He wouldn’t have to redeem us, sacrificing His life and spilling His blood for ours. Through a man, Adam, sin came into the world; thus, through a perfect man, the sinless sacrifice of Jesus, victory, and forgiveness were released upon mankind.
Today at church, the pastor read Isaiah 53, the prophetic word given hundreds of years before Christ was born into the world. It foretells that there will be a man who will give himself for us and even describes the kind of death he will suffer.
As I turned to this page in my bible, I saw the faded notes I wrote so long ago I can’t remember. This particular bible is 13 years old. I was reminded of the power of putting yourself into the words of the page. It’s this practice I wanted to share with you today.
In Isaiah 53:3-5, I encourage you to substitute ‘our’ for your name, and as you read through, let the words take on deeper meaning as you identify with the truth that He did it for you.
I invite you to turn this into a meditation not only on God’s sacrifice but, more importantly, on the great love that drove Him to the cross. He loves you so much that He went to the cross for you and me personally.
An Easter Meditation on the Love of God – a Personalized Reflection on Jesus through Isaiah 53:3-5 New American Standard Bible 1995
He was despised and forsaken by men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Surely (insert your name)’s griefs He Himself bore,
And (insert your name)’s sorrows He carried;
Yet (insert your name)’s ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God and afflicted.
But He was pierced through for (insert your name)’s transgressions,
He was crushed for (insert your name)’s iniquities;
The chastening for (insert your name)’s well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging (insert your name)’s IS healed.
Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your life because of Your great love for me. One day, I will see you face to face, gaze into your eyes, and dwell in Your house forever.
If you are born again in Christ, having accepted His atonement for your sins and having declared Him your Lord and Savior, you are healed. You are restored. You are forgiven. You are made holy and righteous in Him. You are pure and spotless. As far as the East is from the West, that is how far He has removed every transgression from you.
This is cause for celebration.
Happy Resurrection Sunday, friends. I pray you rest in the revelation that you are loved by God.
