He Took My Place

by Darla Noble

Who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Peter 2:24

When my son was twenty-two he suddenly became gravely ill and in horrendous pain while we were vacationing at our lake house over the 4th of July holiday. The two-hour ride to the hospital was unbearable…for both of us. If I could have taken his place I would have.

Now fast-forward twelve years. I was fighting for my life in the ICU. My kidneys were shutting down and I was in septic shock. As my family stood by my bedside, my son leaned over and whispered, “I wish it was me instead of you, Mom.”

My son and I couldn’t trade places with each other. Life doesn’t work like that. No matter how much we love someone we cannot take their pain from them. Only Jesus can do that. But Jesus did something that is even more wonderful than taking away our pain, sadness, and fear. He died for us.

Jesus’ love for us is so great that He traded places with us on the cross. He died for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. He moved us from death to life (John 5:24). Now, His resurrection and life are ours (John 11:25).

Thank you, Jesus, for this amazing gift!

Prayer: God, thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Help me live each day in gratitude for what has been done for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.