03/01/2021
Paul tells the Galatians that Jesus redeemed them by becoming a curse for them. This is strong language and we prefer to say that He took on our sins so that we might be redeemed and forgiven. This milder expression is true, but by using the gentler language we are sidestepping the harsher reality of what happened to Him here... He not only took on the legality of having sinned, but He assumed the horror, flagrant filthiness, terror, and terrible evil of sin as well... He became the fullness of sin... He became the curse for us.
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—”
Galatians 3:13 ESV
Do we recognize Jesus for who he is, and what He has truly done for us? In the Garden of Eden God cursed Satan, and because of Adam He also cursed the ground, but for us Jesus has become more than the punishment that followed those curses, He has become the curse itself. In this way He became not only our Redeemer, and Savior, but our transformer as well. He not only removed the act of sinning from us, but the evil that preceded and resides within it too. He not only removes the robbery of a thief, but the heinous murders, rapes, and beatings that often come along with them. He takes away the sin, and changes us through His renewal into an acceptable and perfect person.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
This is who John the Baptist saw coming towards him as he was standing East deep in the Jordan River performing baptisms. He didn’t see a simple sacrificial lamb that would atone for a persons sin until they sinned again, no, he saw the Lamb of God who could take away the sin of the world, and transform a person’s heart and soul into perfection... this is who we should see in Jesus too.
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29 ESV
So, we speak often about Jesus redeeming us of our sin, and conquering death, but without him taking our sin from us by becoming a curse, and the transformation He brings to us, we would remain like those who were under the law... temporarily cleansed until the next sacrifice was needed. Instead Jesus abides in us and we in Him as He transforms us into the righteous and perfect children of God,
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
And the righteousness we receive is not only for you and me, but it is extended to the whole world through God’s love and grace. Are we ready to know Him as He truly is, and tell the world why God sent Him, and what he accomplishes in us by our faith in him?
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2 ESV
Prayer:
Father thank you for your Son Jesus who has redeemed and saved us from sin and death, but thank you beyond this for the transformation He brings to our lives that makes us righteous and perfect like you. Thank you for the grace that flows through Him and for blessing us beyond anything we can possibly do for ourselves. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us so completely that you extend your love behind us to the whole world. Praised be your name Lord for your Holy Spirt that descended like a dove on Jesus and did not depart, and for breathing Him upon us, and His presence on us now. Merciful are you for your promise of forgiveness, and for renewing us in your image. Hear our prayers, see our heart, and know our love and adoration for you. See Jesus when you look at us, and find us worthy to be with you in eternity, and dining at your table forevermore.
““And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.”
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 ESV
Rich Forbes