Today’s Devotional – “The Proclamation”

As Jesus hung on the cross, He endured intense, excruciating physical pain. But the Father intensified this suffering—not physically, but spiritually—by placing all our sins on Him. Because the Lord cannot look upon sin, this caused a separation between the Father and the Son, even before time itself began.

And there on the cross, Jesus cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

These prophetic words were penned by King David about this very event. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning?” (Psalm 22:1)

The prophet Isaiah explained why Jesus had to die this way: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Jesus was in both physical and spiritual agony as He hung on the cross, bearing the sins of the world. This was God’s plan.

“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin … And He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:10, 12b).

But like all sacrifices, a death is necessary. As Jesus took His final breath, He declared for all to hear, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He surrendered His spirit.” (John 19:30)

With those words, Jesus declared that the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins was made once and for all.

The writer of Hebrews said, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)