Paid

I grew up believing that I could lose my relationship with God. I could be a child of God in the morning, sin at lunch, and be kicked out of his family by the afternoon. I walked on spiritual eggshells. Insecurity characterized my spiritual walk. Sometimes, I was certain of heaven; other times, following an act of sin, I was on my way to hell.

“Condemned”—it’s a solemn word with heavy consequences. Often, it precedes the words “to die.” Condemned to die. Condemnation conveys hopelessness. In Scripture, the word describes physical death accompanied by spiritual and eternal death as well.

Many people are confused about Jesus. Many people speak of him in different ways. In today’s passage, we are invited to a fresh start. We are asked to come and see for ourselves who Jesus really is.

Then one day, studying Scripture, I learned that nothing could separate me from the love of God found in Christ alone. It was like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. That day, on a hot parking lot in Dallas, Texas, I understood that I was a child of God and would forever be!

Jesus paid sin’s penalty in full and offers a free pardon. He breathes life into our spiritually dead souls and makes us fit for heaven. In Christ, we are made alive.

Have you looked to Jesus alone? Have you believed in him as the One who paid the penalty for your sin on the cross? Do you know with certainty that you have eternal life?

Jesus is a friend of sinners. He laid down his life for us on the cross. When you trust in Jesus as the One who paid for your sin on the cross, you become his friend…forever.

Mission accomplished? Only the Father and His willing Son saw beyond what looked like a miserable ending. That day Jesus took on His most important work. On the cross, He took our sins and paid our penalty. Then He cried out one word, “Tetelestai,” which means “paid in full,” and died. Mission accomplished!

Jesus’ question to the Father was a deep cry of His unfathomable love for us.  Even when He felt forsaken by the Father, even when He didn’t know how much longer He could hold on, even when the pain was unimaginable, Jesus never gave up. He never gave in. Jesus paid for sin in its deepest and fullest penalty for you and me.