As we reflect this week on the life of Christ leading up to His agonizing death and victorious resurrection, I pray that our hearts will begin to truly grasp what these events mean for mankind. Oh, what Christ accomplished on the cross!! He defeated death, bridged the gap between God and man, made atonement for our sins - those past, present, and future. Hallelujah!!
The verse that I wanted to meditate on this week contains one of my favorite words . . . propitiation: "the satisfaction or appeasement of God's wrath." (See ESV Online Study Bible footnotes for Romans 3:25.) For the longest time, I would read this word, look it up, but then forget what it meant the next time I came across it. It wasn't until my dear husband - whose writing I hope you take time to read this week - explained it in a word picture, that the meaning stuck! (I am a very visual learner and appreciate as many "pictures" as you can give me!) I don't remember the exact words he used, but I will never forget the picture he painted for me.
Imagine a huge empty goblet. God, holy and just, pours out his wrath - flowing from an enormous pitcher (for sake of the "word picture") - upon sin. Instead of God pouring this wrath upon our heads, allowing us to drown in the eternal judgement we deserve, He pours it in into the goblet. Christ, in all of His perfection and glory, stands up on our behalf, lifts the goblet, and raises it to his sinless lips. Then He drinks. For our sakes, Christ "drank" every drop of God's wrath, saving us from having to be soaked to death. He satisfied God's wrath once and for all. Thank you, Christ Jesus, for being our propitiation . . . the bearer of our sins!
"He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
1 John 2:2 (ESV)
Click HERE too see study notes on this verse.
2 comments:
Katie, I always find such encouragement when I read your blog! I'm so glad that David is walking us through this week as we worship & praise God for the death & resurrection of Christ, which has given us our Salvation!
This week I'm meditating on Isaiah 53:5
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."
What an amazing act of love Christ performed in facing the cross for our sins! My heart cannot help but rejoice when thinking about how his suffering has truly brought us peace & healing! When I think about this verse I also think back to Psalm 63:3 - "Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you." His love is so unchanging and unending - I can't help but praise Him!
I am SO thankful that we are on this journey of Scripture memorization together! I am amazed at how much the verses I've learned over the last few months have truly given me comfort and joy! I am so glad I have a friend like you who encourages me to grow in my knowledge & love of our Lord! Thank you, sweet friend! :) Much love to the fam!
Wow, Melanie! You are wonderful! I need to hand this blog over to you next, it appears. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing Scripture with us and these most encouraging words. You are loved.
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