By Dr. Philip West
I don’t understand the smile on this little boy’s face. There was a time when misbehavior at school had real consequences.
Punishment could include a paddling, and, even worse, a note could be sent home, where the punishment was often more severe. I never got sent to the principal’s office, but I did receive a paddling from an irate coach.
When he returned to the classroom, chaos had erupted. He ordered every boy into the hall, and we all received a paddling.
The truth is, in the midst of that chaos, I was sitting quietly, yet I still received the punishment. It’s a terrible thing to be punished for something you didn’t do.
Whenever I think about the cross, I’m reminded that the sinless Jesus died for my sins.
The heart of the Gospel message is this: “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).
Jesus took the punishment we deserved so that we could receive the righteousness we could never earn. How will you respond to that kind of love?
Take time to reflect on the cross. Thank Him for what He has done, and make sure you have personally trusted in Him.
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