For the past couple of weeks, we've been focusing on Jesus' restoration of our world. The term restoration implies that something is broken. Well, I hope this isn't a newsflash, but there is. Big time. Our world is not the Eden that God created for us to live in harmony with Him for eternity. Through our own free will, we chose sin, and sin broke the world. But there's hope.

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God created a plan that’s been in place since Genesis for us to be restored to Him. That plan centers on Jesus Christ. And what a price Jesus had to pay for us to be restored. Have you ever thought about everything that Jesus has endured for you? Today's devo is going to focus on that thought through prayer. So today is a little different. I invite you to find a quiet place and devote the next five minutes or so to guided prayer. The focus is on thanking God for what Jesus has endured for you. Pray over and reflect on these verses and move where the Spirit takes you. Enjoy this time one-on-one with your Savior.

Pray: Thank you, Lord, for this time with You, my Heavenly Father. Your will be done.

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Pray: Thank you, Lord, that though Jesus is God, He became flesh and endured many trials to prepare Himself for my salvation.

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Reflect:

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

“Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him” (Matt. 2:13).

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matt. 4:1).

“Then they took up stones to throw at Him” (John 8:59).

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

“Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them” (Mark 14:10).

“And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.’ He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will’” (Mark 14:33-36).

“Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?’” (Matt. 26:67).

“And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times’” (Matt. 26:75).

“And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head” (Mark 15:17).

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us’” (Luke 23:39).

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Pray: Lord, Jesus paid the ultimate cost for my sin.

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Reflect:

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last” (Luke 23: 44-46).

“So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matt. 27:54).

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Pray: Thank you, Lord, for everything Jesus is, has done, and will do. Your Kingdom come.

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Reflect:

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:1-3).

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Pray: Thank you, Lord, for all Jesus has endured on my behalf. Though He was without sin, He paid in full the price of my sin and restores me unto You for eternity. Jesus is my Savior! In that I rejoice and celebrate the good news. In His mighty name I pray, Amen.

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