Today's Verse - Isaiah 53:3-4

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and he carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

—Isaiah 53:3-4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus was everything, created everything, and gave up everything to become nothing for you and me (Philippians 2:5-8). Most of the people on earth he came to save didn't recognize him or accept him when he was here. Many in the crowds just assumed he deserved what he got, crucifixion. Most did not repent. But there was something about Jesus' self-sacrificing story, self-emptying story that grabs our hearts and calls us, God's lost children, home. On our journey home, we not only find him to be our Savior, but also the servant promised by God through Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-7, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12), God's Son, who would make salvation to all of humankind.

My Prayer...

God Almighty, your plan to redeem me takes my breath away. Why you chose to take your precious son and expose him to such public disgrace while he was on earth, I will never comprehend. But this I do know: you love me with an everlasting love, and so I will serve you with all of my strength in thanks for his great sacrifice. Thank you for your love. In the name of Jesus Christ, my LORD and Savior, I pray and praise you. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - 2 Corinthians 5:21

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

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Righteousness! That's what we are. We are not just righteous. No, it is much bigger than that. We are God's righteousness. Before Jesus, and without Jesus, no one is righteous (Romans 3:21-24). Now, however, we find our righteousness in him (Philippians 3:9). We are the testimony of how holy and gracious God truly is because of Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-9). God provided the sacrifice for our sins, and now his righteousness has re-created us in Christ Jesus to do good works for him in our broken world (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10). Altogether, this is God's righteousness, and that's what he has made us, his righteousness in Jesus!

My Prayer...

Thank You, Almighty God, for making me righteous by the blood of your Son's death. May people see a reflection of your holiness, justice, and mercy in me, as I try to share your grace with them. By the authority of Jesus and his sacrifice for my sins, I pray with confidence. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - 1 Timothy 2:5-6

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time.

—1 Timothy 2:5-6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We do not need to have another human, no matter how mighty, pious, or special, to intercede for us before God. As God's children, we can go freely, knowing that God himself has provided the perfect mediator and intercessor between himself and us. That mediator is the Son, who is head of the Church, one with God himself, and our High Priest interceding before God on our behalf. His name is the man, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Son, and our LORD, Savior, and brother, who ransomed us through the cross and who now lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 2:11-14, 4:14-15, 7:25; Acts 3:6).

My Prayer...

O God, you are my God, and I praise you for making access to you so freely available. I know that if left to my own worthiness, I would have no strength or righteousness with which to approach you. Yet in your grace, you not only provided a ransom for my sin that makes me holy, but you also provided a mediator for my approach to you. Jesus, I thank you for paying the price on earth and now at the Father's side to intercede and speak for me! Thank you, Jesus, for making this prayer known to the Father, as I pray in your name. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.