Jesus Died for You

Yesterday's post ended with the hard truth that we are all sinners and our sin separates us from God...for all eternity.

* But there is Good News!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Luke 2:10

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

* A perfect life can be substituted for yours.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15

* And God loves you so much that He gave up His Son

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

* that Jesus would be your substitute

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 53:5

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

* ...And through his death

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

* You can have eternal life

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 1Thessalonians 5:10

*...And by His resurrection, death is defeated.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. the one who believes in me will live, even though they die" John 11:25

That is the story of God's great love. His son,
Jesus, took our sin and took our punishment.
Jesus takes our sin and gives us His righteousness.
Jesus takes our guilt and gives us His glory.
Jesus takes our death and gives us eternal life.

It sounds like a pretty good trade to me.

Tomorrow, the rest of the Good News!

John <><