RESTORED Week 2 - What else died on Jesus’ cross? (It wasn’t just Jesus!)

Watch the Video for Week 2:“What else died on Jesus’ cross?”

Scriptures Mentioned Today

• Galatians 2:20-21
• Colossians 2:13-15
• Isaiah 53:4-5
• Romans 6:11

Your Notes from the Teaching

\Don’t forget to pray, read and worship today!

Read Isaiah 53. As we saw in this week’s video, Isaiah looked ahead to the cross and saw several things that Christ would carry on our behalf. Take some time to meditate on which of these things have happened to you, or that you have done, and ask God to help you see them as now crucified in Christ. your “griefs” (physical , emotional, or mental sicknesses): your “sorrows” (Pain — brought about by others or ours choices): your “transgressions” (willful rebellion/ acts of sin): your “iniquities” (our twisted desires that would turn into action if we could get away with them) your “chastisement/ scourging” (the punishment we deserved for our rebellion): Then ask Him to help you experience what He purchased for you on that cross: your “well being” (“Shalom” — peace in our body, soul and spirit), “you are healed” (restored to health and wholeness):

Don’t forget to pray, read and worship today!

One of the most dangerous traps of life is holding onto the painful memories stronger than we hold on to the good ones. The betrayals, disappointments, griefs and hardships loom larger in our minds than the moments of laughter, love, rich friendships, and sacrificial love shown to us when we needed it. Strong emotion felt during life events sears that memory into our minds, and the more we rehearse the memory the more real it feels. Often, our heart can feel like it was just yesterday when an event happened, even though it may have been many years ago.

God has also seen everything we remember, and one of the great gifts He has to offer is a redemption of our entire past. Remember how Jesus carried our griefs on the cross, and we crucified those in Him? Well, amazingly, His Spirit can help us change the way we even think of our past! David wrote an amazing line in his most beloved Psalm (#23) :

...surely your goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life…”

That’s right — although God’s goodness is right in front of you for the rest of your life — the truth is it also has also been following right behind you the whole time!

Sit quietly with the Lord, and ask Him to show you all the ways He “showed up” in your life even before you gave your life to Him. Perhaps He came in the form of a helpful friend, teacher, or coach? A parent who may have been imperfect but showed you love as best he/ she could? A moment when something could have gone really badly, but somehow God saved the day?

Write them down, and meditate on these things. You’ll see He has always been there with arms open wide.

Don’t forget to pray, read and worship today!

“it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”

In other words, we not only have our faith in Jesus to rely upon, but His very power and life at work on the inside of us — empowering our heart and mind to change us back into His likeness. “I want to be more like Jesus” is a common thing for us to say, but the truth is, no one has ever been able to do it on their own.

Someone once observed that “the Christian life has never been tried and found lacking. But it has been found difficult end not tried.” This will be true if we try to do this new life by our own strength, discipline, and effort. Learning to rely on God’s Grace is a daily choice, made moment by moment. Every time we feel ourselves straining to be holy, is a good time to pause and say, God, I really need you right now.”

Just like we all did in our first moment of coming alive to God!

What things are you finding yourself striving against this week? Go ahead, make a list if you need to. Then, lay every one of them at His cross with this confession:

“Jesus, apart from you I can do nothing. But through you, I can do anything.”