That Was Meant For Us

One of my favorite movies is 13 Hours of Benghazi, which recounts the heroic efforts of the men who fought to defend the U.S. embassy in Benghazi. It was a handful of men against an entire militia, and for an entire night, they fought the combatants off, defending and protecting their fellow countrymen until they could make safe passage to the airport.

There is one part in the movie in which I always enjoy. During the night, while the men are defending the compound, a bus pulls up in the distance and you see the militia begin to move a massive bomb inside of it. The American's, seeing something going on in the bus, decide to unload all firepower on the bus, and it detonates the bomb, massive explosion. The part that always hits me is that immediately after this happens, the actor portraying Dave "Boon" Benton says, "that was meant for us". It's a part that I always enjoy hearing, and to be honest, I don't even know why, but it does. 

But it does make me think of something else, the statement that Boon made, that was meant for us. The penalty that Jesus Christ paid. The price that He paid, the suffering, the shame, the weight of the sin of all mankind, the whipping, the flogging, the humiliation, the agony, the nails, and ultimately, the moment where God turned His back away, that was meant for us. 

That was the price we were supposed to pay, but He paid it for us. Jesus, not out of obligation, but out of love, willingly went to the cross. 

John 10:18 -- "No one takes [My life] from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord." 

God, not out of obligation, but out of love, gave His Son for us. 

John 3:16 -- "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life." 

Jesus took our place on the cross, so that we can have a place in heaven. Jesus took our debt of sin and nailed it to the cross, so that we can have an inheritance forever. Jesus took our shame and addiction, and gave us joy and freedom. 

Isaiah 53:4-6 -- "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned -- every one-- to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 

In other words, that was meant for us, but Jesus took it upon Himself.​

Upcoming Events​
Sue Long's Memorial Service is tomorrow, Thursday, August 26th, at 10:00am (Visitation) and 11:00am (Memorial Service). Located at DERFELT'S BAXTER CHAPEL. 

Bill Richard's Memorial Service is Friday, August 27th, at 1:00pm (Visitation) and 2:00pm (Memorial Service). Located at Center Christian Church. We will be providing a meal for the family at 12:00pm, and if you can help please contact Mila Jaeger (620-762-0451)

Tomorrow, August 26th, is the Back-to-School Rally. If you would like to come join us at our tent and hand out goody-bags, we would love to have you. Setting up around 4:30 and will be finished around 7:30pm. 
 
The Junior High has an event coming up in September, the OCC Get-A-Way. This is an overnighter at Ozark Christian College. Sam Eddington has information if you need to contact him (620-762-2817)
 
Talent Night is still coming up, make sure to keep practicing your special talents! September 26th.

We are already preparing for our Harvest Party this year. It will be October 31st at the Church. We will be collecting candy soon for it as well as looking for volunteers to help with the Trunk'r'Treat.