The Lamb of God—Your Substitute

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-6 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Jesus Christ did not die as a martyr. He was not a helpless victim. He said, “I lay down my life, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.” (John 10:17-18) The cross was not an accident or an afterthought; it was in the heart and mind of God before the world was framed. Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross. 

John the Baptist announced, “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.” The Lamb of God died on the same day as the Passover lambs were being slain on Mount Moriah, the very limestone ridge where long ago God had told Abraham, “God will provide Himself a lamb.” Jesus said, “Abraham saw My day, and was glad.” (John 8:56) 

To the priests on Mount Moriah, Jesus Christ could say, “Your work is over. Put away your knives. We need no more lambs, no more sacrifices. The Lamb has died and has paid in full.” 

ACTION POINT:

Meditate today upon that! Upon the price that was paid for your salvation. Read Matthew chapters 26 and 27. Thank Him for the price that was paid.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Jesus Was Perfect

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:14

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What an amazing life the Lord Jesus lived. Do you realize that Jesus never corrected, withdrew, or amended any statement He ever made? I wish I could say that! Jesus Christ never apologized for anything He ever did or said. Jesus Christ never sought advice from anyone, never had to ask for forgiveness. 

Jesus Christ doesn’t have any strong points. For Him to have strong points, He would have to have weak points. Robert Clark has rightly given this assessment of his character: 

“There was meekness without weakness, tenderness without feebleness, firmness without coarseness, love without sentimentality, holiness without sanctimoniousness, lowliness without lowness, truth without error, enthusiasm without fanaticism, passion without prejudice, heavenly mindedness without forgetfulness, carefreeness without carelessness, service without servility, self exaltation without egotism, judgment without harshness, seriousness without somberness, mercy without softness.” 

What a person was the Lord Jesus Christ! 

ACTION POINT:

The greatest question that can be asked was the question Pontius Pilate asked the crowd when Jesus stood before him: "Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ?" Now I'm going to ask that question of you. What will you do with Jesus? No greater question could be asked.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Just for the Unjust

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the Just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God …” - 1 Peter 3:18

A Roman soldier walked down a narrow corridor in a Roman prison. He held the torch up, and back in the shadows was a man. The guard with his key opened the door and said, “Barabbas, get up and come with me.” Barabbas began to plead, “No, wait, don’t take me! Have mercy!” The Roman soldier said, “You’re not going to die; there’s somebody else who’s going to die in your place. Come here. Look over on that hill. That’s the cross we made for you. But there’s someone else on it. He has taken your place.”

In what happened to Barabbas, God arranged a perfect picture of substitution — the just dying for the unjust that He might bring us to Himself.

Take time today to tell the Lord Jesus Christ how much you love Him and how grateful you are that He stepped out of glory and became obedient unto death—even the death of the Cross—for your sake and mine.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Only One Who Conquered Death

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Harry Houdini was an escape artist. They tried all kinds of ways to keep Harry Houdini locked up. They would bury him in a coffin, but he would get out. They would sew him up in canvas bags and throw him in the river, but he would come out. His biographer said he could “escape from anything, except your memory.” 

Yet there came a day when Harry Houdini died and he did not escape. No trickery there. Harry Houdini did not escape the iron-clad clutches of death. But I want to tell you there was another who died. His name was Jesus, and He made the great escape. Jesus came out of the grave and He arose. Praise God, Jesus is alive! 

ACTION POINT:

Who in your circle of friends doesn’t know Jesus? Pray for them right now, that they would hear the Good News, repent and believe upon Jesus as Lord and Savior.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Only One Who Ever Chose to Die

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Did you know that there has only been one person who ever chose to die? Only one. 

"Oh," you say, "Suicide bombers choose to die. Other people choose to die. People who die by their own hand choose to die. People who give themselves for others choose to die." 

But really no one has ever chosen to die except Jesus. Why? Because He was the only One who didn’t have to die. Some people may choose to die a little sooner, but nobody has ever truly chosen to die except One—the Lord Jesus Christ. 

It wasn’t nails that held Him to the tree. It was the silver cords of love and the golden bonds of redemption that held Jesus Christ to that cross. 

ACTION POINT:

The fact that no one has ever chosen to die but Jesus, may be a new concept to you. If so, it’s probably new to someone else as well. Share it with someone today!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Peace with God—Because of the Cross

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“... having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:20 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

How can a cross bring peace if Jesus is the One hanging there? 

At the cross, wickedness was not appeased. Wickedness was confronted. 

At the cross, sin was not overlooked. Sin was atoned and paid for. 

God’s greatest righteousness confronted man’s greatest wickedness, and righteousness won! Peace was attained through the blood of the cross. 

Thank God for the cross! Thank God for Jesus! 

ACTION POINT:

During this time of year, as you celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord, take a few moments to praise Jesus for the power and hope you have because of His resurrection.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Moving His Son Into King’s Row

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:6 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The kingdoms of this world are being moved around like checkers, but soon God is going to move His Son into King’s Row and say, “Crown Him King of kings!” 

How many times have you prayed, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”? 

Do you think God’s will is being done on earth as it is in heaven? Look around at the crime, rape, murder, child abuse, and blasphemy. Do you think that’s God’s will? Of course not. 

Do you think Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray a prayer that will not be answered? God is going to move Jesus into King’s Row and say, “Crown Him King!” 

ACTION POINT:

Read Psalm 2. What does the Psalmist tell the kings of this world to do? Pray now that God will work in the hearts of the world leaders.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers