The pastor of our church gave a message a couple of weeks ago about "The Great Exchange." Although I have known about each of them I was spellbound just hearing him give the message.
First of all God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, that if we believe in Jesus we would not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16; "
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
There is one person that was willing to exchange His wealth so we could have it. The person is Jesus Christ.
Jesus left His home in heaven so we could have a home in heaven. If you had an expensive home would you leave your home so someone could have your home? I am sure I wouldn't, I might share my home but to give it up I just couldn't do that but Jesus did this for you and me.
Jesus gave up His riches for our poverty. Someone had to pay the price/debt and Jesus was willing to do this for us. II Corinthians 8:9; "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." Because Jesus became poor, we now share His eternal riches. We need to have the same feelings as verification of His grace working in us. The gifts of grace, salvation, the kingdom of glory and heaven are the everlasting riches we have received in exchange for the rags of iniquity. Ephesians 1:3; "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ":
Jesus also gives us His joy for our sorrow. John 16:20; "
Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." Sorrow is something none of us want, it can cause us to feel the Lord has forsaken us but He will never do this. We can have godly sorrow which is good for us as it leads us to repentance, changing our heart that will turn us from sin to God.
We are given peace by Jesus for our troubles. John 14:27; "
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid". It is a great feeling to have this peace Jesus gives to us but you need to be willing to give your troubles completely to Him. We can't expect to have His peace if we don't give Him our troubles.
Jesus gives His love for our hatred. Colossians 1:21; "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled". We were estranged and hostile in our minds and doing evil things but we have been reconciled to Him now. We have love towards the Lord and others now.
Jesus has even given us His righteousness for our rags. Isaiah 64:6; "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away". It is through Jesus Christ that we are clean and made pure. II Corinthians 5:21; "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him".
II Corinthians 6:10; "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things". Even though our hearts ache we have the joy of the Lord. We may not possess riches on earth but we can help others and we can enjoy everything. Our riches will be received in our heavenly home.
Jesus exchanged everything just for us. This exchange is awesome; to think He loves us so much that He was willing to do this for us. Thank you, Jesus.
May you always know the love, joy, and peace of the Lord!
