March 25, 2016: Dying

Luke 23:32-49

Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scripture… (1 Corinthians 15:3)

The Heidelberg Catechism, a treasured statement of faith for many Reformed Christians, contains a series of four powerful questions and answers about Christ’s suffering. The first of them concerns the death of Jesus: “Why did Christ have to suffer ‘death’?”

Understanding the answer ought to shield our hearts against an avalanche of guilt: “Because the righteousness and truth of God are such that nothing else could pay for our sins except the death of the Son of God.”

Hear it again, friends: Nothing else could pay for our sins except the death of the Son of God.

But, I hasten to add, the Son of God did indeed die for our sins! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

I once heard a preacher give tremendous counsel to a sanctuary filled with college students. He told them, “When the devil assaults you with a barrage of accusations concerning your sinfulness, don’t argue with him. He has good evidence. Simply tell him you have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, and therefore his accusations are now irrelevant.” The sense of relief in the room was palpable—including the sense of relief in my own soul.

Prayer: We bless you, Lord Jesus, for your saving blood!

Today’s devotional was written by Tim Brown, president and Henry Bast professor of preaching at Western Theological Seminary. This Lenten series comes from Words of Hope, whose mission is to build the church in the hard places through media. To learn more about the organization or subscribe to Words of Hope’s daily devotions, visit www.woh.org.