WE WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE-THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
“The Cost of Souls”
(A Scriptural Story) *Various Translations & 1599 Geneva Footnotes Have Been Used in the Creation of This Story
Jesus fell on His face, praying, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from Me! Yet, not what I want, but what You want! He felt great sorrow, and was grievously troubled. His soul was very heavy, even unto death. Christ was in such agony and distress, not only with the fears of death, but with the fearful judgment of His angry Father, which is the most fearing in the world. He would take the burden of all our sins upon Himself. Jesus was about to suffer the punishment, which was due unto us, and He had a terrible conflict with the horror and fear of the curse of God. And there appeared an Angel unto Him from Heaven, comforting Him. Jesus prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like the drops of blood, trickling down to the ground... He gave His back to those who beat Him – who smote Him with rods. And the scourging tore away His flesh, for the whip had fragments of bone or metal spikes bound into the tips. Much of His body was severely wounded from brutal torture. Jesus offered His cheeks to those who plucked out His beard. He did not hide His face from mocking, slapping, and spitting. Christ was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said a word – He opened not His mouth. He was blindfolded and struck on the face, repeatedly, as they continued to blaspheme Him. After Jesus was beaten, whipped, and severely flogged, they put on Him a purple garment, mocking His claim to kingship. Then twisted and wove long thorn branches into a crown, placing it on His head – to cover entirely, to inflict much pain, humiliation, and more suffering. They mocked Him, slapped Him, spitted upon Him, took a reed and smote Him on the head many times, and then beat Him with their rods. Jesus was so disfigured that He hardly seemed human; He no longer looked like a man. Christ carried His cross, yet His strength was dried up like broken clay. And no longer could He carry it alone, He fell, and laid in the dust of death. They seized Simon of Cyrene, placed the cross on his back, and made him carry it behind Jesus. The women who followed Him, were mourning and wailing, yet, Jesus turned to them, and prophesied of the great suffering that would happen to their children. He expressed compassion and concern. The mind of Christ was not on Himself, but on people, as He was on His way to be crucified – such selfless love! And when Jesus died for the world, all charges against us – the punishment of sins – the deserved damnation, were canceled, having nailed it to the cross. Christ disarmed the Principalities, and Powers – Satan and his angels, had made a show of them openly, and had triumphed over them in the same cross. As a conqueror of those captives, He put them to shame. The cross was as a chariot of triumph. No conqueror could have triumphed so gloriously in his chariot, as Christ did upon the cross. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He gave Himself for us that we might have eternal life, and escape the judgment of Hell! Jesus purchased our freedom and forgave all our sins at the cost of His blood – such love is this! Moreover, even on the cross, He forgave, saved, and gave! On the cross… Christ prayed for His enemies, forgave what they’ve done, saved a criminal, and gave His mother a son. “I am poured out like water. My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. My tongue sticks to the roof of My mouth. Evil men have surrounded Me; The wicked have encircled Me. They pierced My hands and My feet. All My bones are out of joint, and can be seen – I can count them! By the stretching and strain of the body, suspended on the cross. They look and stare at Me. I am a worm, and not a man, scorned by men, and despised by the people. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing, they cast lots.” Jesus was tormented both in soul and body. He was afflicted and rejected. A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, heartbroken, and crushed. In misery, Christ cried out with a loud voice, saying, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” For He felt the wrath of God, which is due to our sins.
If the devil tried to tempt Jesus before the cross, saying, “It costs too much,” one thing is for certain, it's paid, for God loved the world that much.
*Created and compiled by Jennifer Lynn O'Connor GOD'S LOVE IN POETRY https://godsloveinpoetry.blogspot.com https://thecostofsouls.writeas.com https://tribulationsaintsmessage.com Email: godsloveinpoetry@gmail.com Pinterest: (godsloveinpoetry)