Devotional: Trading Up

On a day like today, more than 2,000 years ago, the world was forever changed. Jesus took upon all of our sin and shame and was crucified so that we would be made holy and righteous with God through His son’s perfect sacrifice.

Jesus made an eternal trade; He gave his life for our lives.

Jesus Christ traded his innocence to become our Father. He received punishment in exchange for our eternal peace so that we would call Him friend. He took on the rejection of the world so that we would be accepted by the Father and to be filled of the Holy Spirit.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

Questions for Meditation

1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 discusses how Jesus was completely innocent yet took on all of our sin for our salvation. How should this truth affect the way you see yourself?
2. When we trade up and choose Jesus over this world, we receive a Father, a Friend, and a Powerful spirit. How does knowing Jesus is our Father and Friend change the way you approach Him?
3. Romans 8:11 says that the same powerful spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us today. Be encouraged and empowered by that truth. How does knowing you have the spirit of God inside of you change the way you approach situations in your everyday life?
4. Jesus traded rejection for acceptance so that we could become righteous. It is because of this that we are a new creation. What are some things in your life you need to trade to be closer to Jesus?