A Crossbow and the cross

My husband accidentally severed the end of his thumb, cutting it all the way to the bone. There was blood everywhere. In an instant, something that seemed so simple became an emergency. Seeing the blood, the injury, and the pain was frightening.

But as I stood there, my mind went somewhere deeper.

I thought about Calvary.

I thought about the blood Jesus shed—not because of an accident, not because He had no choice, but because He willingly gave Himself for us.

Sometimes we hear the story of the cross so often that we can become familiar with it. We hear about the nails, the crown of thorns, the stripes, and the blood. We know the story. We have heard it preached countless times.

But standing there yesterday, looking at the blood from my husband's injury, I was reminded again of the cost of our salvation.

Calvary was bloody.

It was painful.

It was brutal.

And it cost our Savior everything.

Jesus wasn't simply enduring an uncomfortable moment. He was giving His life. He was bearing our sin and shame so that we could have forgiveness, redemption, and a relationship with God.

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." — Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

That little accident with a crossbow reminded me of something enormous:

My salvation was not cheap.

There was a price paid for my freedom.

There was blood shed for my forgiveness.

There was a cross that Jesus willingly carried for me.

And if the blood from one small injury can make me stop and think about the seriousness of pain and sacrifice, how much more should I stop and remember the blood Jesus shed on Calvary?

Today, I am thankful that my husband is here. I am thankful that the thumb could be repaired. I am thankful for God's protection in the midst of a frightening accident. And I am even more thankful for the Savior who went to Calvary and paid the ultimate price for my soul.

May we never become so familiar with the cross that we forget what it cost.

Jesus paid it all.

And I will forever be grateful.