22ND MAY
1 Peter 2:19, 22-24 (NLT)
“Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!”
Christ was wounded so you could be healed!
A believer in Ethiopia hosted a special Easter dinner in his home for his international guests from Ghana and the US. He and his wife brought a sheep to their home and had it slaughtered to provide a special meal that was also very meaningful.
He explained that this ensured that the meat was fresh, but was also a special reminder that Jesus suffered death for us so we could share his life. “Sheep are quiet animals,” he remarked. “Even when they die, they don’t make any noise. This reminds us of how Jesus gave his life for us.”
Some find it distasteful to talk about death, either of people or of animals. But the central fact of our faith is that the Son of God was willing to endure a terrible death to pay for the sins of humankind. We were not redeemed by money–there would never be enough money to pay for all of our sins against God and each other–but by the blood and the death of the Lamb of God. And through his suffering, Jesus was a role model for us when we suffer: he did not complain, or try to get back at those who hurt him; he did not gossip or demand his rights.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
When you suffer small or great hurts, will you remember his wounds, and let his love heal your heart?