by Hillary Krahn “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5
The Christian Band, Crowder, has a very heartfelt, Lent-themed, song called Forgiven. In the song, they sing: I'm the one who held the nail, It was cold between my fingertips…God I fall down to my knees with a hammer in my hand You look at me arms open…continuing with a refrain of, forgiven, forgiven. The song takes the responsibility of Jesus’ crucifixion and places it on the singer. “It was me!”, it cries, “I’m responsible for his death!” Just as the prophet Isaiah says, “He was pierced for OUR transgressions, crushed for OUR iniquities, his punishment brought us peace.” As we look at Lent and the crucifixion, take time to view it more personally instead of globally, individually instead of pointing elsewhere. As an individual, we are all sinners, transgressors, the ones for whom the Savior offered his life for. We are all the ones holding the nails of sin, ready to pierce the Savior. He faces us as transgressors willingly! His arms are wide open on the cross, taking our sin with him. When we picture his arms wide open, it almost appears a welcoming embrace for the sinner, a forgiveness that is unparalleled and filled with love. The paradox here is that we’ve wounded HIM but it has healed US. Think about it for a moment, our peace is possible because of his punishment, and yet he forgives us! Let it be your mantra as you continue through the next few weeks. I’m forgiven! I have peace because of Jesus! Prayer: Heavenly Father, have mercy on me, a sinner. Thank you for the gift of forgiveness found in the gift of your Son. Help me to remember that if it wasn’t for your love, and for Jesus’ death, I wouldn’t have peace. Thank you for that peace, thank you for your love. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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About the AuthorsThe authors of this Lenten devotional are all staff members of Zion Lutheran Church & School of Wayside. They have answered the call to preach and teach the good news of salvation to both the young and the old of the school and congregation. This group of believers have a strong faith rooted in the Word. They are all members of the church professing the Christian faith and are excited to share their love of Jesus with you during this season. Archives
January 2025
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