My pastor calls it the Great Exchange; the way God gave everything in order that you and I might gain from His loss. As I read the scripture about Christ and the thief on the cross, I’m struck by the truth of the Great Exchange and the scandalous love God has for people.
For sinful, hell-bent, hurting people. For the blind, the bleeding, and the broken. For the promiscuous, the pompous, and the prideful. For the self-proclaimed righteous and the down-in-the-dregs criminal.

[bbctt tweet="Christ exchanged his existence in the presence of the Divine for exposure to the depraved because of His overwhelming love for people in need of mercy.#hope#salvation#mercy"]

Christ exchanged His existence in the presence of the Divine for exposure to the depraved because of His overwhelming love for people in need of mercy. His riches for poverty. His home for homelessness. His robes of righteousness for our redemption. His unblemished life for our salvation.
Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me inParadise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

[bbctt tweet="In His last moments on the cross, the mercy of Christ's salvations ushered a repentant man into the arms of heaven.#thegreatexchange#mercy"]

In His last moments on the cross, the mercy of Christ’s salvation ushered a repentant man into the arms of heaven. Oh, the beauty of this ultimate exchange! Christ’s own final, holy breath for the eternal redemption of a thief.
It was not by accident the criminal hung in agony by the Christ. There was a plan for his salvation from eternity past and it was death on a cross that brought him close to the heart of his Father.
The Great Exchange of more than 2,000 years ago fulfilled God’s design to invite you and me into the Kingdom, too. But, there are others. Others who are waiting to hear the name of Jesus in far off lands. Others who are familiar with His name, but only as a curse word. Others behind bars or self-made prisons of sin and sensual living.
The world is in need of hope, friends, and we must be the ones to share Him.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

(Micah 6:8)

 
Peace and grace,
Tammy
 
I often link up with the following: LMMLinkup, Porch Stories, Tea and Word Tuesday, Blogger Voices Network, Tea and Word Tuesdays, Worth Beyond Rubies Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Soaring With Him, Purposeful Faith, Encouraging Word Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Imparting Grace, Destination Inspiration, Tune in Thursday, Heart Encouragement, Faith and Friends, Faith on Fire, anitaojeda, Dance with Jesushttps://www.rachelmarielee.com/  www.instaencouragements.com, Fresh Market Friday