How many of you have seen someone playing basketball and it seems that he can’t miss a shot? He hits everything he puts up . . . or so it seems. Even though this guy is on fire, he still misses some shots. He isn’t perfect. God tells us in James 2:10, “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (NIV). God demands that we be perfect, and we know all too well that we aren’t. We fight with our siblings, talk back to our parents, and we grumble when we receive a lot of homework.
God sent a solution, however. This solution was Jesus’ death and resurrection in our place. In Isaiah 53:5 we hear, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (NIV). Christ paid the price for every single one of your sins.
Even on the best of nights, a basketball player will miss a shot. Even on our best days, we miss the shots we take in life. But Jesus hit every one of the shots and never missed. We win.
Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to be pierced and crushed in our place. Please help us always trust and rely on this truth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
*This devotion was written by Ben, a kid just like you.
