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I never watched 'The Passion of the Christ'. The movie came out in my Before Christ (BC) days, so unsurprisingly, I was uninterested in the subject, Jesus. I also didn't feel the need to devote over two hours of my time. Mind you, I had the markings of Christianity - I identified as a Christian, prayed regularly, and had a mini Bible in my bag at all times. Yet, I wasn't interested in learning about Jesus through the film or, frankly, through any other means.
As the years passed, I saw outtakes from the movie illustrating the great degradation and trauma Jesus likely went through as He made His way to Calvary. As someone who now appreciates His sacrifice, I am very grateful that He died on that cross and went through all He suffered for my sake. He suffered injustice, nakedness, thirst, hunger, and abject poverty, so I never need to go through these things to become a child of God.
A few months ago, some scripture got me thinking about the exchange that took place that day - a sinless man suffering and dying so sinful people, like myself, could walk free from the consequences of their iniquity. It was an uneven exchange because I paid no price for this freedom. Jesus bore the consequences of my sins so I could enjoy the fullness of life promised in John 10:10. He went through so much, and it all worked out in my favor. Not every believer has been so fortunate. The early church was targeted, and the cost of their faith was often death. Even now, many suffer discrimination and are massacred for believing in Jesus. God's word teaches that I must intercede for my fellow believers and, where legally possible, support their freedom to worship the Lord and live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:1-4). I also realize that I cannot take my freedom to do so for granted.
It is striking that through this uneven exchange, I get to witness God's power via the Holy Spirit. I have been blessed to see God move in not only my life but increasingly in the lives of others. I have seen Him answer prayers, and He proves Himself more than able to do the impossible. All this is because of that uneven exchange from several millennia ago. An exchange that guarantees I, and countless other faithful, enjoy the privilege and benefits of a covenant with God that we didn't have to physically die for. Instead, the Lord wants us to let His Spirit help us die to sinful desires so we remain free from the product of sin - death in hell.
As I walk with the Lord, He has revealed that there are burdens I've carried that were never His plan for my life. These are issues I wasn't meant to wrestle with, things that had to go for me to get closer to experiencing freedom in my mind, body, and spirit. He didn't create me to deal with the wounds of betrayal - my wrong choices led me into that trap. Certain types of grief were not to happen to me, and if I'd sought His wisdom, His word would have navigated me away from the events and persons that brought that into my life (Hosea 4:6). He didn't create me to be angry or petty - those were the wrong responses to the problems I'd faced. Problems He never intended for me to tackle. He helped me not hold on to guilt or shame, reminding me through His word that I was made to receive His love, compassion, and forgiveness. Always.
For these changes to happen, I had to confront what Christ achieved on the cross, accept His sacrifice, and the resulting rewards. I am still learning and will likely continue learning for the rest of my life. That said, I now understand that, like myself, many who believe in Jesus don't fully understand what His sacrifice means. Hence, we are getting bogged down by certain situations that should never have been able to hold us. We've gotten used to shackles we weren't meant to wear, even seeing them as jewelry instead of what they are. We've ignored the distinction between God taking us on a challenging journey for our good, versus our sin keeping us from His best. We've forgotten that we might need to fast and pray for discernment because Jesus said certain issues will not be overcome without both (Matthew 17:21). We struggle to praise, forgetting it ushers us into God's presence where His perspective and freedom are available. And we dismiss intercession, spending to spread the gospel, and helping the needy, though doing so pleases the Lord and unlocks the closed spiritual doors.
We have to acknowledge and take advantage of the uneven exchange made for our benefit. In so doing, God will usher us through experiences designed to grow us and prepare us for His plan for our lives. God's Spirit and His Word make these possible. May He help each of us to fully leverage the freedom purchased for us on Calvary's tree, IJMN, Amen. See you at Noon EST for fellowship.
