This week has been a struggle with sickness--not for me, but for my son. Caleb's battle with fever, coughing and sleepless nights was starting to wear us down physically and mentally.

Late one afternoon, as Caleb was taking his afternoon nap, my wife and I were resting from our wearisome week. As we prayed for Caleb, my wife began to weep. "I just wish I could be sick in his place," she cried.

I, too, would do anything to swap places with Caleb. I wish it were me lying in bed with a fever and cold chills instead of him. I wanted to bear his sickness. In that moment, I understood my Father's heart towards us.

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus and how he would bear our pain:

 Surely he took up our infirmities and
      carried our sorrows,
 
 Yet we considered him
      stricken by God,
           smitten by him,
                and afflicted.
 

But 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.

      (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Jesus wants to swap places with you. He wants to carry your pain, your affliction, your burdens, your torment. I was powerless to take Caleb's pain upon myself. Yet Jesus is powerful and has invited you to give him your fears, your doubts, your worries. His punishment was for our peace.

Today, call upon Jesus. He is ready to swap places with you if you are willing. I believe with all my heart that peace and freedom can come to those who give themselves totally to Jesus. When you give your heart to him completely, he will take your pain and replace it with his peace.

If I had the power to swap places with my son during his sickness, I would do it in a heartbeat, because I love him so much.

How much more does Jesus love you?

Blessings!

Russell

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|  Russell Pond     <><
|  Season of Peace
|  email:  ponder@season.org
|  web:    http://www.season.org

© Russell Pond 1999
Reprinted with permission