Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! —Romans 7: 25a

Click Here to Read Today’s Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Miners trapped underground, children in a burning house, people standing on top of their houses in rising floodwaters, women being trafficked for sex. They all have one thing in common: they need someone to rescue them. When rescuers jump into action, everyone cheers and is in awe of their courage and selflessness.

According to the Bible, all of humanity needs rescue. We all are enslaved by our own desires, trapped in a lifestyle and mindset that ultimately leads to destruction. We have all sinned, and the earned wages for our sin is death (Romans 6:23). We were created for an intimate relationship with God, but we are unable to rid ourselves of the sin that separates us from God. Paul lamented his inability to rescue himself. “I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:23,24). Paul answers his own question in verse 25: "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” 

Almighty God staged the greatest rescue of all time when Jesus, God the Son, came to this earth on a mission: to give His life in exchange for ours. Jesus’ death on the cross was the plan from the beginning. It was the only way to rescue us from the dominion of darkness. That is why Good Friday is good! It is a solemn day because we think of Jesus hanging on that cross, bearing our sin. But it is a joyful day because His death was God’s rescue plan.

That wasn’t the end of the story, though! The rescue was completed when Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death and the grave. Because He lives, we can live in His Kingdom, in the here and now and in eternity to come. We have a reason to celebrate!

Reflection: What does it mean to you personally to know that Jesus gave Himself to rescue you? What does it tell you about God’s love for you and every person you meet?

 Prayer Starter:

Thank you, Father, for your great rescue plan. Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life for mine, and for giving me eternal life in your resurrection.

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