Matthew 4:4 (Live on God's Word)

Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Hunger may be the greatest felt need in all the world. (Research suggests it's the greatest motivation, over thirst and fear.) Men have renounced their inheritance (Genesis 25:30-32) and "women have cooked their own children" to escape starvation (Lamentations 4:10). Hunger bites at anyone's will. It even consumed God's people in the wilderness and made them want to go back into slavery. Their reasoning was simple: When they were slaves they "ate all the food they wanted," and they thought they would starve in the desert (Exodus 16:3). God heard their cries, and He spoke to them, "In the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God," (Exodus 16:12). Everything happened as God said, so the Lord and His assured Word brought food to the Isrealites. Concerning this historic moment, it is written that God humbled His followers by prolonging their starvation. God let people go hungry (their greatest felt need) "to teach them that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord," (Deuteronomy 8:3).

God's Word is more valuable than bread. The poets who wrote the psalms knew this well. They proclaim God's Word is healing (Psalm 107:20). They tell of blessings for those "who find great delight in His commands," (Psalm 112:1). They say God's Word is "flawless, like silver purified in a crucible," (Psalm 12:6). The psalmists even remark that it is better to endure suffering than to avoid the Word of God. One poet writes, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees. The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold," (Psalm 119:71-72). They plead with God saying, "Never take Your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws," (Psalm 119:43). They declare, "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103). God's Word is precious; greater than jewels, comfort or food.

Eating food is important, for it is not good when someone
forgets to eat (Psalm 102:4). God made food to be eaten
and savored (Genesis 1:29), so "eat your food with
gladness," (Ecclesiastes 9:7), but remember Jesus' food
was "to do the will of Him who sent Him," (John 4:34).

It is more important to read Scripture than it is to eat, so it is also more important to give people the Word of God than to feed them. Jesus taught this. He once spoke to a large crowd who asked Him what He would give them to show His power. They reminded Him that their ancestors ate bread in the wilderness (John 6:30-31). Instead of offering temporary food to appease their hunger, Jesus gave them something better. He declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry," (John 6:35). Jesus says He "is the bread that came down from heaven. Their ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever," (John 6:58). After He said this, many "turned back and no longer followed Him," (John 6:66). Jesus' disciples, though, did not leave. One said to Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," (John 6:68). The disciples knew anyone could give them delicious "food that spoils," but only Jesus gives "food that endures to eternal life" (John 6:27).

Opposed to Jesus, though, some believe God's Word does not offer enough sustenance. Many assert they can do better than living on His Word. (Some examples can be seen here, there and here.) The Sadducees believed this. They subtracted from God's Word, by claiming there would not be a resurrection unto eternal life (Mark 12:18). For this, Jesus says to them, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God," (Matthew 22:29). More than the Sadducees, though, the Pharisees also believed God's Word could not give people what they need. They added to God's commands, but the Bible says, "Do not add to what God commands you and do not subtract from it," (Deuteronomy 4:2). Jesus says of the Pharisees, "They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules," (Mark 7:7). So, He refers to their teachings as yeast to ruin His perfect commands (Matthew 16:11-12). Jesus shunned these foolish teachers (Luke 9:26), so too should God's people shun teaching that strips away or mixes into the bread of life.

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep
you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion
does not come from the One who calls you. 'A little yeast
works through the whole batch of dough,'" (Galatians 5:7-9).

Whether the world believes it or not, the best thing anyone can do is preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-2). People's greatest need is salvation (Romans 6:23). Many on earth are already dead, like those who ate manna in the wilderness, (Ephesians 2:1). They need new life, and they will receive this if they believe in Jesus (John 3:16). "How can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Romans 10:14). The world needs preaching (Mark 16:15), but there are teachers in the Church who don't offer God but indulge in "godless chatter," (2 Timothy 2:16). These teachers "worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women," (2 Timothy 3:6). Why do God's people stand for this? Their reasoning is simple: They want to “gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear," and not what they need (2 Timothy 4:3). What a foolish world, salivating for temporary spoiled yeast ruined worm infested bread, instead of the sustaining delicious life giving Word.

Never searching just accepting

Feeds the mind enough to get you by

Scratching the surface

Yet to dig deeper down...

Wisdom from the sacred page

Is turned and ignored

In a world that's wired for sound

- Michael W. Smith

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Answers in Genesis: Psalms Teach about the Word of God
• G3: Psalm 119
• Bible Study Tools: Food
• Got Questions: The Pharisees
• Michael W. Smith: Wired for Sound

How Does Someone Give God a Hug?

How does someone show God love? It's possible everyone's considered this question, especially one of Jesus' closest disciples, Mary Magdalene. She was a sinner from whom Jesus cast out seven demons (Luke 8:2). Some even speculate Mary was the adulteress Jesus saved in John chapter 8. What is certain, though, is Mary loved Jesus. She loved Him so much that His death on the cross devastated her (John 20:11). She was crying at His grave, until she cried out with joy when she saw her Savior alive (John 20:16). One could imagine Mary rushed to give Jesus a big loving hug, and this might be why Jesus tells her, "Do not hold on to Me," (John 20:17). How could someone not hold on to their Savior? The most common way people show love is through physical affection. How then can someone show love to God, if they can't give Him a hug?

One way someone can show love to God is by serving Him. Now, God does not need anyone's service (Acts 17:25), but He grants His children the privilege of doing so. Jesus explained this, when He told a parable about "the Son of Man coming in His glory," (Matthew 25:31). In His parable, Jesus says to those who follow Him, "I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me," (Matthew 25:35-36). Naturally, those who hear this will be confused. If God does not need service (no need for food or clothes), then how can someone serve God (feed Him and clothe Him)? In response, Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me," (Matthew 25:40). What any Child of God does for another son or daughter is ultimately done for God Himself. So, if a Child of God gives a comforting hug to one of Jesus' disciples, then they have given Jesus a hug.

"If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one
of these little ones who is My disciple,
truly I tell you, that person will certainly
not lose their reward," (Matthew 10:42).

So, it is possible to give Jesus a hug, but is a hug the best way to love Jesus? Physical affection may be how people instinctively show love, but God's ways are greater than anyone else's. He says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts," (Isaiah 55:8-9). If someone wants to love God in the best way, then they must learn what God's thoughts are on the matter. The apostle Paul affirms this, when he says a Christian's love abounds "more and more in knowledge and depth of insight," (Philippians 1:9). A Christian's love for God will develop, as they grow in knowledge of Him.

One way people can grow in their knowledge and love for God is by learning His commands. In fact, God shows people His ways through His commands. When God gave the titular ten commandments, He described Himself, saying "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me," (Exodus 20:2-3). God's giving of commandment one illustrates how He sets people free (John 8:36). When someone obeys the ten commandments, they acknowledge that only God can save them. Their obedience shows they know God. If love grows through knowledge, and knowledge of God is shown through obeying Him, then to obey God is to love Him. Right along with this, Jesus says, “If you love Me, keep My commands," (John 14:15). So, it's possible God loves hugs, but Scripture says a better way to show God love is by learning about Him and obeying Him.

"In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands.
And His commands are not burdensome," (1 John 5:3).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Keith Green: The Sheep and the Goats (Inspired by)

Romans 6:5 (A Resurrection Like His)

 

Romans 6:5

For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His.

Jesus died for the sins of the world, but He's not dead anymore. He is risen! He was killed by the rulers of the world, but He raised Himself to life "on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:4). His resurrection (not a resuscitation by others, but a resurrection by Himself) occurred just as the prophets foretold, (Matthew 12:40). The way Jesus lived was not incidental, but was the fulfillment of the Word of God. It is written, "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work," (1 John 3:8), and the devil's work was to bring about death (Genesis 3:13-15).

Now, because Jesus is resurrected, He has put an end to the power of death, for "He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). This victory is revealed in God's words, "I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong...For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors," (Isaiah 53:12). So, Jesus makes a way for people to join Him and He lets His followers share His wealth. Everyone who has put their faith in Christ has been "crucified with Him," and "if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His," (Romans 6:5-6). With this filling our hearts, let us, as believers, see the power of the resurrection that is alive in us.

Now I have resurrection power living on the inside

Jesus, You have given us freedom

I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness

Living in the light of Your goodness

You have given us freedom

I'm dressed in Your royalty

Your Holy Spirit lives in me

And I see my past has been redeemed

The new has come

- Chris Tomlin

Jesus came back to life (Mark 16:6)

On the first Easter morning Jesus walked out of His grave. It is assured that all of God's children will do the same. They will live anew in their spirit, because Jesus has "made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions," (Ephesians 2:5). Not only the children of God will live, but one day everyone who died will live again. There will come a day when "death and Hades [will] give up the dead that [are] in them," (Revelation 20:13). Jesus says that on this day "those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned," (John 5:29).

Jesus put off His old clothes (John 20:6-7)

When Jesus breathed again, He took off His wrappings and linens. He removed His burial clothes, and so will those who follow Him.  Just as someone takes off a shirt and wears another, God's children will resist their old habits of death and put on Christ's righteousness. They will "be made new in the attitude of their minds; and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness," (Ephesians 4:23-24). God's children are also to keep their brothers and sisters from going back to their old grave clothes (Jude 1:23). Just as Jesus cast aside the things of the dead, so believers should "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles," (Hebrews 12:1).

Jesus comforted believers (John 20:15-16)

The first people who saw Jesus's empty tomb were afraid, but after they saw Jesus their tears were replaced with joy (Matthew 28:8-9). Jesus' disciples, too, can comfort those who hurt. Their God is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort," (2 Corinthians 1:3) and those who believe in Him can "encourage one another and build each other up," (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Jesus's resurrection gives His children strength to "rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn," (Romans 12:15), and God will turn our "wailing into dancing," (Psalm 30:11).

"I am the Living One; I was dead,
and now look, I am alive for
ever and ever," (Revelation 1:18).

Jesus made clear the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27)

After Jesus comforted many of His followers, He then appeared to two men who were walking to a nearby town. These men were confused about the writings of the prophets, and in their confusion they were downcast (Luke 24:17,19-21). In response Jesus "explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself," and as He explained these things their hearts were set ablaze (Luke 24:27,32). Now, Jesus' disciples on earth can explain the Scriptures and lift up the hearts of others. It is through the resurrection that the mysteries of the Bible can be "disclosed to the Lord’s people," (Colossians 1:26).

Jesus was unharmed by weapons (John 20:27)

When Jesus died He was speared right through to His lungs and heart (John 19:34), and when He lived His body still showed this mortal wound. There was a hole in Jesus' side and it had no apparent effect on Him. This will be true of all who believe, for anyone in Christ can trust that "no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD," (Isaiah 54:17). Yes, the world hates God's followers and will kill many of them (John 15:20), but "do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul," (Matthew 10:28).

Jesus restored broken relationships (John 21:15)

During Jesus' trial, His disciple, named Peter, denied and cursed Him three times (Matthew 26:69-74). Peter's sin filled him with grief (Luke 22:62), but on Easter morning Jesus commanded His angels to say, "He has risen!...tell His disciples and Peter," (Mark 16:6-7). Even though Peter sinned terribly, Jesus restored Him back to His family (John 21:17). In this same way, those in the Church who sin can be restored. It is written, "If anyone has caused grief...the punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow," (2 Corinthians 2:5-7). Thanks to the resurrection of Christ, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us," (Psalm 103:12).

Jesus returned to His Father (John 20:17)

On the day Jesus rose, He promised He would ascend into heaven, and forty days later He did (Acts 1:3,9). Dear brother and sister in Christ, you too shall rise to be with your Father (Luke 16:22). Jesus says, "I shall lose none of all those God has given Me, but raise them up at the last day," (John 6:39). Right now, you live as a foreigner on earth (1 Peter 2:11), but one day you will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever," (Psalm 23:6). You will see God face-to-face (Matthew 5:8), and it will be just as He says, "To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be My children," (Revelation 21:6-7).

Jesus rose again and everyone who lives in Him will
have eternal life (John 3:16) and life in abundance
(John 10:10). His life assures us that "whoever obeys
His words will never see death," (John 8:51).

Jesus rose again from the dead, and showed His power, righteousness and love. Those who see the glory of the resurrected King should do as the women did, when they "clasped His feet and worshiped Him," (Matthew 28:9). They should not be like the soldiers who took a bribe to hide the truth (Matthew 28:13-15). Instead, everyone should recognize Jesus, and call to Him. They should say, as the disciple Thomas does, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Jesus is God, and the only one who can bring the dead to life.

Today, Jesus ascended into heaven and is standing at His Father's right hand (Acts 7:56), and "what does 'He ascended' mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe," (Ephesians 4:9-10). This means that God took on flesh to live and die just like anyone else, and anyone can have communion with Him, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are," (Hebrews 4:15). Those who believe in this are God's children (John 1:12), and "if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory," (Romans 8:17). Jesus' resurrection demonstrates the new life that all those who believe in Him will have, just as it it is written in 1 Peter chapter 1 from verses 3 to 5:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Chris Tomlin: Resurrection Power
• John MacArthur: See God's Face
• John Piper: The Passion of Jesus Christ (Inspired by)

Was Jesus a Superhero?

"Look up in the sky! Is it a bird? No, it's...a flying man!" I imagine this is how the first crowds reacted when they saw a man ascend to heaven (Acts 1:9). They were in awe, but not for the first time. Oh, no. The man they saw soar above also performed incredible feats of strength. He walked on water (Mark 6:48), flipped tables (Matthew 21:12) and was impervious to spears (John 20:27). More than this, He had the power to heal any sickness (Matthew 4:23), combat the forces of evil (Luke 8:30-33) and face any challenge (Matthew 4:1-11). Who was this man? By day He worked among the people as Jesus of Nazareth (John 9:4), but when the need arose, He revealed His true form (Matthew 17:1-2). He is the God-Man, and when you describe Him this way, He sounds like a superhero!

Superheroes are modern legends created by authors and artists, capturing people's imaginations with their stories. Many who read these comic tales are also intrigued by the stories of Jesus. It makes sense, since Jesus shares commonalities with superheroes. Jesus tried to have a secret identity (Mark 7:36), but like Iron Man He couldn't keep it for long (John 8:58). Jesus foiled the plots of dastardly villains (Matthew 22:15-22), much how Batman does. Jesus assembled a team in His name (Luke 6:13), which Captain America did. It may sound strange, but Jesus even communicated with fish (Luke 5:4-6) a couple times (Matthew 17:27), and that is uncannily familiar to Aquaman. Of course, anyone could share an amount of qualities with someone else (be they impressive or ordinary attributes). To get the bottom of how our caped crusaders compare to Christ, it would be best to examine Jesus next to the most famous superhero, Superman.

Some have said Jesus is the original Superman, but how is the match-up between the last son of Krypton and the only Son of God? Well, Superman is not from earth. Similarly, the earth is not Jesus' or any of His followers' home (1 Peter 2:11). Superman enjoyed telling people about his home planet, Krypton, and Jesus also told of His beautiful home, heaven (Matthew 13:44). Superman lived on earth and appeared human, but he was an alien. Jesus did not just appear human (John 1:14) but was fully human (Philippians 2:7). Superman had the power to do, essentially, whatever incredible thing he wanted. Jesus, though, could only do what His Father in heaven wanted (John 5:30). Superman had an altar-ego, Clark Kent. Jesus, however, did not wear a costume when He appeared before crowds (Matthew 21:10-11) or when He was at their homes (Luke 7:36). When Superman would pretend to be Clark Kent, he would change his attitude and demeanor, so people would not know who he was. Jesus did not put on an act, and He told people that when they would see Him they would see that He was the fullness of God in flesh (John 14:9). When you start to look at the superhero of heroes versus the King of Kings their differences quickly overshadow whatever they have in common.

Here's the final round between these two mighty men: The way they died. Superman died unexpectedly and suddenly. He stayed dead for a long time and many great men and women mourned at his grave. Eventually, Superman came back to life, thanks to the help of others. This is nothing like Jesus' death. Jesus knew He would die (Luke 9:22) and knew how He would die (Luke 24:7). He stayed dead for a brief time (Matthew 12:40), and the only ones at His grave while His body was there were the guards watching Him (Matthew 27:65-66). On the third day, Jesus came back to life, without help from any man or force (Luke 24:6-7). In fact, Jesus raised Himself to life, for He says, "I lay down My life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord," ( John 10:17-18).

If superheroes overcome unforeseen challenges with great power,
then what do you call someone who charged in to defeat
the world's greatest threat by surrendering Himself?

Jesus is more than a silly superhero. Every comic book character was created by an imperfect person, but no one created Jesus (John 1:1-3). Any whacky masked vigilante is a mere work of fiction, but Jesus really lived, and He is still alive, for "He cannot die again; death no longer Has mastery over Him," (Romans 6:9). No person can master Jesus, but He is master over all as "Lord of Lords," (Revelation 19:16). He is not the work of imagination for people's entertainment. He is the fulfillment of all good works (Matthew 5:17), in order to be everyone's savior (1 Timothy 1:15). So bring on the best the world has to offer, and see how they fall before Jesus (Philippians 2:10). He will one day come back to earth (Revelation 1:7), and I imagine everyone will look up on that day and say, "Is it a hero? Is it a warrior? No, it's...God!"

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• The Superman Prayer (for putting this in my head, since summer camp)

2 Corinthians 5:21 (Jesus Became Sin)

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Jesus suffered and died for sins, and the way He died was how He paid for them. He was set apart "before the creation of the world" (1 Peter 1:20) to die "according to God's eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Ephesians 3:11). This means the way Jesus died was not incidental but was designed. Consider that if Jesus was on earth today, was wrongly convicted, incarcerated, and then given the death penalty, that death would not have been enough to pay for sins. Modern death penalty methods do not cover the scope of pain Jesus needed to bear.

The prophet Isaiah remarks that Jesus being speared and whipped was how He would heal people from their sins, for "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," (Isaiah 53:5). Take note how Isaiah describes Jesus' death as a personal matter, in the way he uses the pronouns "our," "us," and "we." Jesus died in our place (Romans 3:25), so the way Jesus paid for sins shows how people should have paid. "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21), so Jesus' suffering and death illustrates the true punishment all sinners deserve. With this in mind, let us see what it took for Jesus to redeem sinners and make them righteous.

He became sin, who knew no sin

That we might become His righteousness

He humbled himself and carried the cross

Love so amazing, love so amazing

Jesus Messiah, name above all names

Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel

The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven

Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

- Chris Tomlin

Jesus was caught and exposed (Mark 14:46)

On the night when Jesus would suffer for sin, He was arrested by a large crowd (Matthew 26:47,50). Jesus was caught the same way every sinner will be caught. No one should deceive themselves, for "you may be sure that your sin will find you out," (Numbers 32:23). Someone may think they can hide their sins, but Jesus says, "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known," (Luke 12:2). Even though Jesus was in the dark, the crowd who came for Him brought torches (John 18:3). Jesus was exposed and brought into the light the same way all sin will be (Luke 12:3, Ephesians 5:11).

Jesus did not defend Himself (Matthew 27:12)

Jesus was put on trial for His crimes, and while He was tried He did not defend Himself. Instead of pleading His case, Jesus "did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth," (Isaiah 53:7). This is how sinful people should respond, when God puts them on trial. God will "judge the world in righteousness," (Psalms 96:13) and everyone He judges will be "without excuse," (Romans 1:20). Every sinner has broken God's law (1 John 3:4), and "whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God," (Romans 3:19).

Jesus could not be bought back (Matthew 27:3-4)

One of Jesus' disciples, named Judas, betrayed Jesus. Judas' reward for betraying Him was 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-15). After Jesus was found guilty, Judas "was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders," but the priests would not take Judas' money back (Matthew 27:3-4). Sin, too, cannot be bought back from God, for the Lord "accepts no bribes," (Deuteronomy 10:17). Greed can lead to sin (1 Timothy 6:10), and the money someone gains in their sin is not enough to buy them out of their sin.

Jesus was beaten and wounded (John 19:1-3)

While Jesus was in custody, He was beaten by those who guarded Him (Luke 22:63). Indeed, the same way Jesus was physically wounded, the Bible says sinners should be beaten. In God's law it reads, "If the guilty person deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make them lie down and have them flogged in his presence with the number of lashes the crime deserves," (Deuteronomy 25:2). Out of God's love, He has ordered that any sin deserving of physical punishment should receive the wounds due (Proverbs 13:24). Adam's sin resulted in the earth and humans being pricked by "thorns and thistles," (Genesis 3:18) and Jesus had these thorns pressed into His head (Mark 15:17). Those who do what is wicked should be physically harmed for their sins, and "the understanding of this message will bring sheer terror," (Isaiah 28:18-19).

"The Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give
His life as a ransom for many,"
(Matthew 20:28).

Jesus was nailed down (Luke 23:33)

Jesus's death was by crucifixion, so He was nailed down and pierced through His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16). He was locked in place and unable to escape. This is the fate of unrepentant sinners (Matthew 25:41). Even the angels who rebel against God will be put in chains and locked away for judgment (2 Peter 2:4). Jesus says that sinners will be nailed down by God, so "see to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven?" (Hebrews 12:25).

Jesus was mocked and shamed (Mark 15:30-31)

While Jesus was crucified, the crowd there mocked Him. God, too, mocks and laughs at sin, for "the One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them," (Psalm 2:4). The prophet Elijah mocked those who dared to oppose God, and Elijah's actions were honored by the Lord (1 Kings 18:27,38). Sin is shameful, and someone who sins is like a person found naked and afraid (Genesis 3:7,10). Just as Jesus was naked and shamed by those who crucified Him (Matthew 27:35), so too is sin shameful. Those who sin should "come back to their senses as they ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame," (1 Corinthians 15:34).

Jesus died (John 19:30)

On that cross, for everyone to see, Jesus died. It is assured that "the wages of sin is death," (Romans 6:23). Those who die in their sin "will go away to eternal punishment," (Matthew 25:46). "They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever," (Revelation 20:10). The suffering Jesus experienced on the cross will be their suffering. Just as Jesus thirsted while He died ( John 19:28), those in hell will go without even a drop of water (Luke 16:24). On the other side of eternity, those who have put their trust in God will be given relief, but "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might," (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).

Jesus died and He was buried (Mark 15:46-47), and
everyone who dies in their sin goes down to
"the realm of the dead," (Psalm 9:17). His death
cries out to sinners, "Unless you repent,
you too will all perish," (Luke 13:3).

Jesus suffered for sins the way that everyone deserves to suffer. When someone looks at the cross, they should see the punishment they deserve. They should think of themselves as the murderer who goes free at Jesus' expense (Luke 23:18-19). They should not act like the criminal who insulted Jesus and said, "Save yourself and us!" (Luke 23:39). Instead, everyone should act as the other criminal who said, "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But He has done nothing wrong," (Luke 23:41). Jesus never sinned, and after He was punished, He cried out, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). Therefore, Jesus suffered and died as a criminal, so you would not have to.

The punishment for sin has been paid in full, and now everyone who Believes in Jesus will not have to experience any punishment for their sin. This is assured, "otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself," (Hebrews 9:26). He suffered and died once "to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit," (1 Peter 3:18). Because Jesus paid for sins, "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them," (John 3:36). Jesus suffered the full scope of God's wrath on the cross, in order to bring lost sinners back to Him, just as it is written in 1 Peter chapter 2 from verses 23 to 25:

When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly. “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.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Wretched: The Cross is not the Electric Chair
• Chris Tomlin: Jesus Messiah
• Knowing Jesus: Bible Verses by Topic