A Holy Week Reflection

During this season of Lent I have been reading a book called "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross," a collection of writings assembled by Nancy Guthrie to provide Easter reflections. That being said, my devotional thoughts this morning are not of my own originality but rather some beautiful words penned by J.C. Ryle that I thought would be fitting for us to reflect on this Holy Week as Easter approaches on Sunday.

He wrote, "Was he flogged? It was done so that 'by his wounds we are healed' (Isaiah 53:5). Was he condemned though innocent? It was done so that we might be acquitted, though guilty. Did he wear a crown of thorns? It was done so that we might wear the crown of glory. Was he stripped of his clothes? It was done so that we might be clothed in everlasting righteousness. Was he mocked and reviled? It was done so that we might be honored and blessed. Was he reckoned a criminal, and counted among those who have done wrong? It was done so that we might be reckoned innocent, and declared free from all sin. Was he declared unable to save himself? It was so that he might be able to save others to the uttermost. Did he die at last, and that the most painful and disgraceful death? It was done so that we might live forevermore, and be exalted to to the highest glory."

All of Christ' sufferings, every part displays part of our salvation. It is all steeped in meaning and purpose. In addition, as we look in Scripture, we also see many different things fulfilled from the Old Testament. My prayer this week as we celebrate and remember Jesus' death and resurrection is that God would bring us all into a deeper understanding of what was accomplished for us by Jesus, not just in His death and resurrection but through His sufferings on our behalf as well - through that, I pray we would be led to worship, praise and thanks to our one and only Savior, Jesus Christ.