Read chapter 28 here.
Let's talk about the exchange we see in this chapter. The rulers of Israel were walking in sin. They were bragging that they had struck a bargain to cheat death and "dodge the grave". I don't know what deal they made, but no doubt their assurance of safety was coming from the enemy. They believed that they had a place of refuge to hide from death itself. This refuge they had built was constructed on a foundation of lies and deceit. God, in His omniscience, knew that their refuge would become their prison. Their plan to "escape death" would end in their eternal death. God has every right to scold and punish these men for their choices. They were the religious leaders, they had no excuse, no plea of ignorance to cover their dealings of evil. They knew more of God than anyone else in that day. Though their minds knew of Him, their hearts never knew Him. They turned to making deals with the enemy to endorse their lives of sin. God saw their choice of sin and chose, not to turn away from them, but to present them with another choice. A new refuge. A precious cornerstone. A foundation safe to build on. When their sin deserved punishment God, instead, gave them Jesus.
If you think about it, this is a picture of exactly what happens when we accept Christ. A beautiful exchange. Our sin for our salvation. Our death for eternal life. Darkness for light. Despair for hope. It's the last thing we deserve, but it's God's first response to our sin.
His Heart longs so deeply to draw you into His family that He made a way for your sin to be exchanged under grace. How could anyone refuse such an offer? Come in to God's love. Let Him strip away the sins of life and cover you in new life.
Step into His beautiful exchange.
