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Scripture Read: Colossians   1:21  Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22  But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23  if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. 24  Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25  I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- 26  the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27  To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28  We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29  To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Application: Again, this concept of God putting on flesh is hard enough, but that He also died is beyond me. How can He that is one and eternal become temporal and experience separation (death)? I am still convinced we have terribly underestimated the sacrifice of Christ. I am disturbed Lord by how much I take what You have done for granted. I do not do this consciously, but I do it. I want to keep before me this incredible truth. The death of your body. Please Holy Spirit continue to open my mind and heart to this truth. What did you mean when you stated that God had forsaken You? Did Jesus the Son separate from the Father. Or did Jesus the divine separate from Jesus the man? Was relationship broken or just fellowship? How did sin penetrate He who is perfect? What did You mean when You Forbade Mary from touching You. What did You do when you ascended after the sacrifice? Help me to continue to learn. I want to know You in depth – not just the surface stuff. I do not want to know to appear smarter – but to know You so that I might be wiser and bring You the honor that is due You. I love You. Thank You for your death – thanks for sparing me from having to experience the wrath that You took.