The Governor's most trusted official died. He had been the most able of all the Governor's aides, someone he had depended on in every situation. And not only that, but he was the Governor's best friend. So, when the ambitious office seekers began to scramble for the job that was now open, it's understandable that the Governor didn't take it too kindly. After all, his friend's funeral hadn't even been conducted yet. In disgust at their callousness he told another of his aides, "This is so cold. They won't even wait until the man receives a decent burial." Then, at the funeral, one eager beaver sidled up to the Governor and said, "Governor is there a chance I could take his place?" Now really disgusted the Governor replied, "Certainly, but you better hurry, I think they're about to close the casket."

Probably all of us have looked at what we considered the good fortune of others and said, or at least thought, "Boy, I'd really like to be in his/her place." But that's not likely true of someone who was dead, or so sick they were about to die. After all, why would anyone want to trade places with someone in that condition? But isn't that exactly what Christ did? And isn't that one of the reasons God's love for us is so overwhelming? The Bible tells us He took our place when it says...

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." - (Isa. 53:5, 6).

Live your life today, and every day, in the deepest of gratitude for that one who said, "I'll take his/her place."

Lonnie Ritchie

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