John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ 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.

Freedom fighters

The story is told of a freedom fighter called Garcia. He was the leader of a group of people living in the jungle who were trying to overthrow the cruel dictator of their country. One night Garcia’s lieutenant came and told him that somebody had been stealing food from the supply tent. Garcia was outraged at this act, because food was in short supply and had to be rationed. He called all the families together and told them that anyone caught stealing food would be publicly whipped.

Later the lieutenant came and told him that the thief had been caught. Garcia told him to assemble all the people and that the punishment would be carried out. As everyone gathered the thief was revealed. It was Garcia own elderly mother. Obviously, he had a problem. If he whipped his mother she could very well die. Yet if he did not punish her he would lose the authority and respect he needed as leader. Everyone waited to see what he would do.

Garcia pronounced the crime and said, “Give me the whip and tied her to the post”. Then he did something that shocked everyone. He handed the whip to his Lieutenant, removed the shirt from his own back wrapped his arms around his mother and said let the beating began. Garcia demonstrated love and mercy to his mother and carried out justice as well. The penalty was paid but it was paid by Garcia himself.

Even so, God is both loving merciful and just. Christ himself paid the penalty of our sin by dying on the cross for us. He puts His arms around everyone who receives Him, and takes our strips for us.

Isaiah 53:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ 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.
⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 2:24

New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

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