Shoeleather Faith
I Should Have Been Crucified
I always listen to a hymn or song of worship as I enter my quiet time with the Lord each morning. I wrote this after listening to one in particular. Here are some of the lyrics of "I Should Have Been Crucified":
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"I was guilty with nothing to say, And they were coming to take me away. But then a voice from heaven was heard, which said, “Turn him loose, and take me instead!”
"And I should have been crucified, I should have suffered and died. I should have hung on the cross in disgrace, But Jesus, God’s Son, took my place."Crown of thorns, the spear in His side, and all the pain that should have been mine. Those rusty nails were meant for me, but Jesus took them – and let me go free!
"And I should have been crucified, I should have suffered and died. I should have hung on the cross in disgrace, But Jesus, God’s Son, took my place."
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As adults, we find Christ differently than we did as children. I was alone in my navy barracks, on my knees by my bunk, when I told Jesus I would follow Him the rest of my life. My sister, Andrea, met Jesus at the altar in a church. My wife was watching a Billy Graham crusade on television, when she told Christ she now belonged only to Him. My mother and I were in my car a block from my house when I led her in a prayer of repentance and commitment to Jesus as her only Lord and Savior.
The places, times, and circumstances are as varied as the individuals vary. But the message proclaimed and then believed and acted on is the same: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.
Have you come as an ADULT to Christ? Have you as an adult told Him that you believe with your heart, soul, mind, and strength that He died in your place, that He paid once for all the penalty for your sins – and you are living for Him and following in His steps?
If not, why not? Childhood faith was a good start. But there is good reason St. Paul wrote: "When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things." (1 Corinthians 13:11).
We ALL need an adult faith, an adult commitment, and a daily walk with the Savior as an adult. You and I should have been crucified. You and I should have suffered and died. We should have hung on that cross in disgrace; But Jesus, God’s Son took our place.
Oh, thank you Lord for your immeasurable gift!
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About the Author
Richard Maffeo was born into a Jewish home in the early 1950s. In 1972 he discovered Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, and he dove into his awakened faith with a passion that continues to this present day. He has written three books, writes a blog, and teaches several bible studies each week at 55+ communities. You can find his blog at www.inhimonly.blogspot.com. You can find him on Facebook by searching for his name.
Richard and his wife Nancy are married more than 50 years. They have three grown children.
