Grace

These verses have been rocking my world:



"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." -Peter 2:24-25



Think for a moment about the author of this verse. Play through your head what it must have felt like to be a close follower of Jesus. Hanging with him, watching him teach and heal, admiring Him. This was his passion, following Jesus was Peter's life. But, one unfortunate night Jesus said these words that had to sting so bad, "tonight you will disown me." I can't imagine how it felt to hear those words come out of his mouth, "You will disown me." He responded the same way any of us would, defensively, "Never! I will never disown you!"



Fast forward several hours and now Peter is warming himself by a campfire while he watches from a distance what is going to happen to his Lord Jesus. Then this ugly interaction took place... someone asked him if he was a Galilean? If he was a friend of Jesus? Peter responded quickly, ""Man, I do not know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly (Luke 22:60-62)."



Now many years have past and he has been completely forgiven by his Jesus. In fact, Jesus personally forgave him and reinstated him (John 21). Imagine with me how deeply affected he was as his pen wrote these words... "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.... by his wounds you have been healed (1 Peter 2:24)." I can't even fathom it.

Now Jesus says to you these words reader, "you will disown me... you will break my heart... you will disobey me... you have offended my Father." You have broken God's commands and deserve eternal punishment. That is what you deserve. But Jesus, bore your punishment in his body on the tree. As he hung there he was paying for what you deserve. Every whipping he received was taking away your sin. Every curse that people spat at the undeserving Son of God was making you blameless. Every drop of blood shed that day by our Lord was earning you an eternal salvation. "By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul (verse 25)."