Benefit and Blessing

"But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed...His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth...
Isaiah 53:5, 9

When we choose to sin, or not walk in God's ways, we choose to suffer - and our sin always causes others to suffer as well.

Our hearts should be broken by this truth.

Here is what I am awestruck with this morning.  Jesus never sinned.  His actions never, ever brought suffering to anyone.  His actions only brought benefit and blessing.  Oh, He called the Pharisees out on their sin, but as God His actions were always holy, righteous, and just.  How many people did He touch and heal from sickness and demonic oppression - benefit and blessing flowing out to them?  A woman only had to reach out and touch Jesus in faith, and she was healed - benefit and blessing flowing out to her.  He fed thousands upon thousands - benefit and blessing.  He kept His disciples from the evil one.  He prayed for them.  Benefit.  Blessing.  Jesus actions only brought benefit and blessing, His actions never brought suffering to anyone, yet He is the One who has undergone the most suffering of anyone, ever. 

Sin causes suffering and it was not because of His sin that Jesus suffered, it was because of our sin.

Jesus, the Innocent, was crushed for me, the guilty, for all the sins I have ever committed, and will commit - He took the piercing that I deserved for the suffering that my disobedience has caused others. Jesus, being obedient to the Father, stood in my place, and bore the wrath of God for all my sin and gave me His righteousness.  If you have trusted in Him as your Savior, He stood in your place too, and bore the wrath of God for all your sin and you also are clothed in His righteousness.

Is there something you are struggling with as far as obedience to our Heavenly Father?  As God's children we are called to walk by faith.  Faith is believing the Word of God and acting on it, no matter how we feel, because God promises a good result.  We don't always feel like doing what we are called to do.  This is when we need to remember the cross.  Remember the love of our Savior.   Remember His willingness to undergo the greatest suffering anyone has ever undergone, and He didn't deserve it.  You and I did.

Sin brings suffering.  Obedience always brings benefit and blessing.  Let's be Jesus to those around us today.