FRIDAY April 10, 2009


Today, Friday April 10, 2009, is the first edition of F.R.E.S.H. Friday Devotions. We pray that the things that you will learn and discuss here will be a blessing to you and your growth in Christ for years to come. Please feel free to comment and even ask questions about each devotion. Again, that’s how we grow…..

Today is the day that we as a Christian Community recognize the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross over 2000 years ago. The sacrifice Jesus made physically by the innumerable beatings and the pain he experienced emotionally by being betrayed by those closest to him was a very high price to pay. As a matter of fact, it was the ONLY price God would accept for the debt of sin. When we sinned against God, (did something that was against his way of doing things) there had to be a payment that would get us back in good standing with God. The death of the sinless Jesus was the only thing that was valuable enough to pay the price that God would accept for the debt of sin.
One thing that I am learning about life is that the pathway to purpose is paved with pain. Since the purpose of Jesus was to die for the sins of the whole world, He had to experience some pain.
About a year ago, I tore a ligament in my knee and had to go through a period of rehabilitation. The doctor explained to me that in order to get back my full range of motion I would experience some pain. The way to my recovery was through the pain of rehab. In order to get to the place of freedom, I had to go through some pain. The same is true with our freedom from the penalty of sin. The bible says “without shedding of blood is no remission [of sin].” (Hebrews 9:22b) There is no blood without pain.
It’s not that we celebrate the pain, but we are thankful for the pain. So over the next week, let’s reflect on the pain that Jesus suffered for us….so that we can be free. We may not be free from pain, but we are free from the penalty. Every time you go through something that you don’t want to deal with or something that hurts, just remember “The sufferings [PAIN] we have now are nothing compared to the great glory [PURPOSE] that will be shown to us.” (Romans 8:18-NCV)
….make it a F.R.E.S.H. Friday!