--HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS~~

"He was pierced (bruised)
for our transgressions, he
was crushed for our iniquities."
--(Isaiah 53:5)--

--AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS~~

-AFTER CENTURIES of war and destruction, the modern city of Jerusalem is literally built on its own rubble. During a family visit, we walked the Via Dolorosa (the Way of Sorrow), the route tradition says Jesus followed on His way to the Cross. The day was hot, so we paused for a rest and descended to the cool basement of the Covent of the Sisters of Zion. There I was intrigued by sight of ancient pavement stones unearthed during recent construction--stones etched with games played by Roman soldiers during their idle moments.

Those particular stones, even though they likely were from a later period than Jesus, it caused me to ponder my spiritual life at the time. Like a bored soldier passing time in idle moments, I had become complacent and uncaring toward God and others. I was deeply moved by remembering that near the place I was standing, the Lord was beaten, mocked, insulted, and abused as He took all of my failure and rebellion on Himself.

"He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed" (ISAIAH 53:5).

My encounter with the stones still speaks to me of Jesus's loving grace that is greater than all my sin. Blessed be the Name of the Lord Jesus. "Thank You, Lord, Your Love Never Fails. ~~

---OUR SIN IS GREAT---GOD'S GRACE IS SO MUCH GREATER!

--ODB/DM-- / - "Your Love Never Fails"/ Newsboys~~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrc1xHEwtLY>
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