I don’t claim to have visions, but I’m a
visual learner. Maybe that’s why the Lord
put some very descriptive pictures and
thoughts in my mind in the wee hours of
the morning many years ago.

It wasn’t a dream. I was fully awake and aware of two scenes that unfolded in my mind’s eye. 

I found myself in the first scene, among a large crowd where Jesus stood before Pilate. I heard the mob shouting. “Crucify him! Crucify him! Give us Barabbas and crucify Jesus!

Feelings of guilt and shame flooded my heart and I cried out, “Lord that could have been me”!

The moment passed quickly replaced by the words  “Your guilt and shame
were nailed to the cross.”

Tears of release flooded my heart as I remembered the love poured out on
Calvary’s cross for sinners like me.

Another scene followed. A woman caught in adultery lay on the ground, fearful of the religious crowd about to stone her. I felt her shame as though it was my own and I cried out, “Lord, that could have been me.” 

Once again I heard the words, “Your guilt and shame were nailed to the cross.”

Then something like a symphony of beautiful music flooded my heart and
mind, healing my soul with a new found joy that’s hard to explain.

The following Sunday morning I was amazed when I heard the same words
spoken from the pulpit. In the midst of his sermon, Pastor John did an about
face, pretended to hammer a nail into the wall, and shared the same message that had now taken root in my heart.

“Your guilt and shame were nailed to the cross.”

How could he have known he was confirming the truth of what God had
etched on my heart a few days before? I believe it was the Holy Spirit speaking the same message through my Pastor.

If you struggle with feelings of guilt or shame over something from your past, dare to embrace Jesus and believe the good news of the Gospel.

“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14).

Prayer: Father in heaven, how can we ever thank you enough for taking away our guilt and shame when you nailed them to the Cross of Calvary? May we continue to find sweet release and forgiveness at the foot of the cross. In the Savior’s name we pray. Amen.