Jesus Paid it all
What is the verdict?
Our last year in Alaska, I served as a juror in Superior Court. The case involved a man who committed three heinous crimes including violent abuse and attempted murder. We were told the case would last two weeks – it lasted six.
I learned much about guilt and justice during those horrible days; he was convicted on every count.
This Holy Week, I find myself sitting, not in the jury box, but in the accused‘s chair. I’m convicted of my sins and I have no defense. The evidence is indisputable, without justification.
I slowly rise, facing the only one, truly Righteous Judge.
Eyes downcast, I fall to my knees in the shadow of the death-penalty cross.
My defense rests on the unimaginable power of four extravagant words:
Jesus
paid
it
all.
Conviction transferred.
Sentence satisfied.
Case dismissed.
Jesus my Savior. Hanging on a criminal’s cross. Forgiving His executioners. Crying out to God in His anguish. Redeeming the life of another condemned to die.
Yielding His authority to come down from the cross while legions of angels thunder for their King.
And yet, He stays. Bloodied and naked.
How can I respond to His extravagant mercy, His priceless sacrifice made on my behalf, His surrendered acceptance of the punishment I deserve?
This is Holy Week - the days we slowly meditate on all that Jesus has done for us.
Maundy Thursday, let us sit quietly and listen to Him intently:
“I give you a new command: love one another.”
Good Friday, let us weep and mourn at the foot His torturous cross:
“It is finished.”
Resurrection Sunday, let us sing and rejoice in awe at His empty tomb:
“Who is it that you seek?”
HE IS RISEN!
HE IS RISEN!
HE IS RISEN INDEED!
May we carry this deep abiding joy, every single day, that He would love us so extravagantly.
For indeed, Jesus paid it all.
And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat…
Jesus Paid It All by Elvina M. Hall (1865)
Today is a GOOD day!
Natalie