Picture this: a lively group of ladies are making their way to a wedding, completely absorbed in their jokes and laughter as the rain gently falls. They’re having so much fun that the growing puddles and patches of mud barely catch their attention. That is, until one of them suddenly falls due to a slick and muddy sidewalk.
Her gorgeous dress is now wet and covered in mud. Immediately she tried to salvage the dress by wiping away muddy spots. But this made the stains spread even wider. Understandably upset, her feelings of elation quickly changed to sadness, especially since she was on the wedding program.
With no time to return home, one of her dear friends offered to swap outfits. The friend said, “I’ll wear your muddy dress, and you can wear my clean one.”
It was a heartfelt, voluntary sacrifice from a close friend who had been the recipient of the lady’s unwavering love since childhood.
Never once did the lady abandon her in times of need. Even when untrue gossip threatened her relationships or when friends turned their backs on her during that period. Now the time had come for her to return the favor.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
So, after coming to an agreement, Project Swap was activated. They slipped into the front door of the wedding hall and quickly changed dresses.
But, instead of the wedding guests showing empathy, they stared and murmured about the dirty dress worn by the friend. Instead of acceptance, they judged her appearance. There was no offer of help, only glaring gazes. But, despite the humiliation, the close friend took on the shame of another, while the lady that slipped and fell was spared from rejection.
Now consider this: In the prophecy written in Isaiah 52:13 through Isaiah 53, we learn about another Project Swap that the Holy Spirit revealed about the plans of God. But, instead of a dress, one life (Jesus the Messiah) would be exchanged for many (mankind.)
The author begins the prophecy by telling us that the Messiah, will be highly exalted, but ends the prophecy by describing how Jesus will endure crushing pain which I imagine to be exceedingly worse than wearing a muddy tunic.
Commentaries expound the story further by breaking the prophecy into five sections — placing emphasis on Jesus’ triumph (Isaiah 52:13-15), Jesus’ rejection (53:1-3), Jesus’ suffering (53:4-6), Jesus’ death (53:7-9), and Jesus’ honor and reward (53:10-12). Combined, these sections highlight what we celebrate each year — Resurrection Sunday.
And it’s all because, “it was the Lord’s good plan to bruise Him (Jesus) and fill Him with grief. However, when His soul has been made an offering for sin, then He shall have a multitude of children, many heirs. He shall live again, and God’s program shall prosper in his hands.” (Isaiah 53:10 TLB).
That’s why, people all over the world can receive the ultimate exchange when they accept Jesus as Savior. He bore our sins when He died on the cross, allowing us to receive His righteousness. He wore our messy stains so we could stand before a Holy God without fear.
Through His sacrificial swap, we are cleaned up and gained peace instead of facing what we deserve — God’s wrath.
But the exchange doesn’t end at the cross. The cross leads mankind to the next step — to go, to evangelize, and to teach others about Jesus. This next step may sound intimidating, but you only need to be yourself, using your personality and talents to continue the work.
For example:
1. You can continue the exchange by offering a kind word to the office janitor for a job well done. Let him or her know that “their reward shall be prosperity and happiness.” (Psalm 128:2.)
2. You can share the Gospel using music. “Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing it everywhere around the world! Sing out his praises! Bless his name. Each day tell someone that he saves.” (Psalm 96:1-2.)
3. Or, you may have the opportunity to exchange clothes with someone who is having a crisis moment, allowing you a chance to model the sacrifice Jesus did for us. “For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!” (2 Corinthians 5:21.)
Let’s just say, it’s less about what you do and more about doing for the glory of God.
Brenette Wilder, formerly of Altheimer, Ark., is a blogger at wordstoinspire105953116.wordpress.com and author of Netted Together.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Please include your name, phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry.