Penalty Paid By Love

Pastor Johnny Willis

It was necessary for the Christ to suffer. --Luke 24:46

Have you ever had an argument with God? A Pastor friend of mine whose Son is going through a terrible divorce did. Although he is a Christian, he questioned God's justice in allowing His innocent Family to be so cruelly punished by the circumstances surrounding the separation. As this Son tried to make sense out of Christ allowing all of this to take place, he became extremely agitated. Jeff called me the other night screaming out, "Why?" 'It is difficult for you to understand it all right now because of your bitterness, but when you release it to God you will receive the answer and strength that you will need to understand this." I said to my friend's Son.

Peter, one of our Lord's disciples, had a similar struggle understanding God's purposes. He knew that Jesus was "the Christ of God" (Lk. 9:20), but he rebuked Him when He began teaching that He would suffer, be killed, and rise again (Mk. 8:31-32). Peter couldn't accept such an injustice happening to the sinless Christ. In response, Jesus rebuked Peter because he had unknowingly expressed a satanic outlook. He was thinking as man thinks, not as God thinks (v.33). Jesus knew that His death was necessary to provide forgiveness, for "without shedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb. 9:22).

On the cross Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, but He did it willingly out of love for you and me. Although His terrible death was totally undeserved, there was no other way He could save us. Have you thanked Him today?

God Bless!!!

Pastor Johnny Willis