Romans 6:23 says that the wages we earn for our sin is death. It is a debt each of us must pay one way or another. But that verse goes on to say that God decided to give us a gift instead of death. We can accept the gift of eternal life because Jesus paid the debt for us when he took our sin to the cross.
The old hymn says it: “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, but now I am white as snow.”
Jesus became sinned for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Scripture tells us that everything went dark as Jesus hung on the cross. The sun disappeared. He completed the sacrifice and yielded his life.
The women who had followed him watched from a distance. Two influential but secret followers buried his body. A heavy stone rolled across the tomb’s entrance. But all that happened before Sunday came.
We have been bought. Our freedom purchased with God’s grace. And there’s more to this abundant life we’ve received than just forgiveness. The Savior who made our future secure wants to make this life we live now something that brings him honor and glory.
A reflection by Rev. MaryGean Cope