You were a sinner in need of a Savior. Jesus is the One who stood up and paid your judgment debt.

On the journey to save your soul, He endured 39 lashes. Let that sink in. He took those lashes for you.

Today, He asks something small in comparison:

Will you stand in for Him?

Your wife needs to experience the love of Jesus through you.

Some days her hormones will make her feel crazy, and that pain may come out in your direction.

“Can you stand in for Me and take one lash?”

Some days her old wounds will get triggered, and you may feel the weight of hurt that isn’t really about you.

“Can you stand in for Me and take one lash?”

Some days the world will exhaust her, and then ask for more. She may express feeling of being used in your direction.

“Can you stand in for Me and take one lash?”

Some days your own humanity will disappoint her, and both of you will feel the sting of rejection.

“Can you stand in for Me and take one lash?”

Jesus is our role model.

Love absorbs. Love steadies. Love does not retaliate.

When challenged, your flesh will want to over react. But the Holy Spirit will prompt you – to respond not at the level of pain, but at the level of forgiveness.

Close:

Christ loved you when you were hardest to love.

Now you get to reflect that same patient, sacrificial love.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for sending Jesus.

Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice and forgiveness. Holy Spirit, thank You for counseling and guiding me. Help me respond with wisdom, patience, and love towards my wife’s pain. Amen.

Scripture

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”    John 15:13 NIV