Meditations on the Creed: I Believe in Jesus Christ...Crucified.

Death row. 

And this was before death row was 'humane.' 

It wasn't a high dose of poison quickly inserted into the blood, but a long, drawn out, tortuous death.

Nails through the hands.

Thorns through the skull. 

Lungs that slowly collapsed lacing each breath with the burn of a severe asthma attack. 

It's so terrible that you'd think it would be reserved only for the worst of criminals. You'd certainly want to make certain that anyone who suffered such a death deserved it. 

Not Jesus. 

He was innocent on all counts. No crimes against the state. No crimes against the church. No crimes against God.

Would you believe that's because he was suffering what we deserved?

"He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5-6) 

Meaning we aren't on eternal death row, but we await the glorious of heavenly living. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank you so much for going through the painful death I deserved. Thank you for taking my place. Thank you for being my perfect substitute. Lord, please help me to appreciate that today as I ponder what you have done for me. In Jesus, Amen.