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]
what tethers you to your deserving the curse?
sinning even once makes you guilty of the entire law, and puts you under a curse. while in your mind, you probably agree with this, what tethers this to your heart? what have you done that makes you think, cursed be me for doing that?
i was relentlessly bullied for three years in middle school, and my “justice meter” maxes out quickly when i see bullying. but one time in the fifth grade, before i’d ever been bullied, i bullied one kid, with a slip of the mouth. i’ll never forget the look on his face. i don’t know who that kid is to apologize, and i know i have no right to be forgiven for it. cursed should i be for bullying that one kid that one time.
but in that moment, Jesus looks at me and says, “beloved son, i died for that.” it pleased the father to take out His wrath on the Son on the cross, in part for that one sin that tethers me to the reality that nothing i can ever do will ever make up for even one of my sins. cursed was Jesus, so that i could be blessed. oh, the sobering, yet wonderful reality!
Lord, don’t let us forget what You did for us on the cross! teach us to live in our gospel identities. forgive me for thinking i can earn your favor!
~ stephen hall