In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the apostle Paul says that “God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Although it’s still a mystery to me, I am starting to realize that the Cross is powerful and that redemption is a beautiful exchange. God sent His only son to be the source of hope in a dark world. Jesus lived a perfect and blameless life in the sight of God. He humbled Himself by carrying the weight of the world’s sins to the cross. His blood became the ransom for the sins of all men.

An exchange in heaven had to occur so that I may be forgiven and experience life to the full. Jesus bought me for a price and that price resulted in His crucifixion. According to John 10:10, Jesus says that “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they have may have life, and have it to the full.” The power of Satan has been at work in my life and it is very real.  The thief really does “steal and kill and destroy” and that should be taken in the most literal way possible.

The wounds of Jesus and the mighty power of the Cross are the only way to fill the emptiness and mend our brokenness. Satan uses the full extent of his power to steal our one and only source of hope.  The thief will do anything and everything to destroy the beauty of the exchange so that we are unable to even comprehend what it means to “become the righteousness of God”.

Only the power of the Cross may release these chains. Only Your pain can fill this emptiness. Only Your pain can heal my brokenness. Only by Your wounds may I be healed. How I need the Cross; carry me to the Cross. Although it’s such a mystery, it remains a miracle to me. Mighty is the powerful Cross. Thank you, Jesus, for by Your wounds I am healed. By Your wounds I am filled. Thank you the power of the Cross.