By Joshua Arnold, CLA Class of 2021
Isaiah 53 (ESV)
In both the Old and the New Testaments, to sin literally means “to miss the mark.” When we sin, we miss the mark of God’s perfect standard of righteousness. Scripture clearly teaches that all have sinned, and as a result we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Because God is both holy and righteous, He cannot tolerate wrongdoing; our sin must be dealt with. However, because God is also loving, He sought to redeem us from our sin and reconcile us to Himself.
That reconciliation has been made possible by Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 14:6). Born of a virgin, Jesus came to earth, fully God and fully man, and dwelt among us. He kept the law of God perfectly, loving the Lord with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength, and His neighbor as Himself every moment of His life. When the time was right, Jesus was nailed to the cross, and bore the righteous wrath of God against all sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). As an indication that His sacrifice was accepted, Christ was raised from the dead three days later, and He has ascended to the Father and has been given the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). Now, everyone who believes upon that name can be forgiven of their sins and adopted into the family of God (Romans 10:9).
This is the truth of the Gospel. Jesus lived the life we ought to have lived, and died the death we deserved, in order that we might be redeemed by the power of His blood and be reconciled to the Father forever. He gave us the ultimate gift, and it cost Him the highest price. Only one question now remains: will you receive it?
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