I sat in a coffee shop with a new friend who had just begun to follow Jesus.
As we talked about what that meant and how it intersected with life, he suddenly digressed, blurting out, “I don’t really get this whole deal about Jesus dying for my sins.”
I knew the answer, but could I sufficiently strip away the religious jargon and tired rhetoric to provide a simple explanation?
I paused, searching for the right words to clarify and not confuse. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit intervened. I looked my friend in the eye and calmly said, “Jesus took the hit for you.”
I was shocked. I had never consider those words before and wasn’t even sure if I used them correctly. But it clicked with my friend. After a couple seconds of contemplation, a comprehension shown in his eyes and a smile appeared on his lips.
The smile turned to a grin, and he began to beam. “Now I get it!”
I’m glad, because I don’t think I could have said it any better.
Since that time, I’ve pondered this phrase quite a bit. Yes, Jesus took the hit for me and for you. Thank you Jesus!
Jesus took the hit for us.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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