The Disturbing Gospel: Day Four
Day 4: Broken for You
Devotional
Every idol we cling to will eventually break us, but only Christ was broken for us. This is the stunning difference between false gods and the true God. Our idols demand everything from us and give us nothing in return. They take our peace, our joy, our relationships, and our freedom. But Jesus gave everything for us and asks only that we receive His gift. When we chase after the idol of success, we break ourselves trying to achieve it, and even if we get it, it's never enough. When we worship the idol of others' approval, we exhaust ourselves trying to please everyone and lose our authentic selves in the process. When we make our appearance our god, we spend our lives fighting a battle we can never ultimately win. But Jesus entered our broken world and allowed Himself to be broken instead of us. He took the punishment for our spiritual adultery—our unfaithfulness to God. He absorbed the shame we created and the wrath we deserved. He died the death that our idolatry earned so that we could be welcomed home as beloved children. This isn't just forgiveness; it's transformation. Jesus doesn't just save us from our idols; He saves us to Himself. He becomes our new treasure, our true security, our deepest joy. And unlike every other treasure we've pursued, this one can never be taken away, never disappoint us, and never leave us empty. The Gospel offers us a trade: our broken idols for an unbreakable Savior. Our anxiety for His peace. Our slavery for His freedom. Our shame for His righteousness.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession,
that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
- 1 Peter 2:9
Reflection Question
What would it look like in your daily life to live as someone who has been chosen and treasured by God rather than someone who has to earn worth through other things?
“Every idol you cling to will eventually break you. But only Christ was broken for you.”
- Pastor Mike Mura
Prayer
Thank You, Jesus, for being broken so I don't have to be. Thank You for taking my shame and giving me Your righteousness. Help me to live today as someone who is already chosen, loved, and secure in You. Free me from the exhausting pursuit of other treasures. Amen.