Main Thought
“What goes around comes back around.” “You reap what you sow.” Phrases like these communicate the idea that we’ll eventually “get what we deserve.” This is often true, and we dislike getting less than we deserve! Yet there’s at least one thing we deserve that we should be happy about not receiving. God, in His mercy, withholds the punishment we deserve for our sin. Jesus received that punishment on the Cross; He got what we deserved. Then, in His Grace, God offers the love and eternal life that Jesus deserved for His perfect obedience. We get what Jesus deserved. This exchange is the foundation of the Christian faith.
Main Passages
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
- Luke 23:39-434 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…
- Ephesians 2:4-5
Discussion Questions
What can we learn about God based on the main passages above?
Have you ever been happy about getting less than you deserve, perhaps by avoiding a consequence or punishment? On the other hand, have you ever found joy in receiving something good that you did not deserve? What happened?
Do you believe the Gospel - the news about Jesus receiving the punishment we deserved, and offering us the life that He deserved? If so, then how should it shape your attitudes and actions in response?
Apply
Take your response to question three and apply it to your life this week!