By Brooke Holt
“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)
One of my favorite themes in books and movies is when characters swap roles with one another. From The Prince and the Pauper to Freaky Friday, people take on new characteristics when they assume new roles. Trading places changes their whole story!
On the cross, Jesus traded places with you. He became like you when he took on flesh and dwelt among us. Paul wrote it this way, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8). Jesus gave up his divine status to take on your sin. Though he lived a perfect life, Jesus allowed the weight of human sin—your sin, my sin, and the sin of the world—to be pressed down upon him. God’s wrath against sin was satisfied in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Think about the irony of this situation. Jesus, the only man to live and never sin, became sin so that you may become the righteousness of God. His sacrifice moves beyond trading places and into exchanging wardrobes. Our filthy garments of sin are removed, and the righteous robes of Christ are placed upon us. They are so perfectly fitted to us that when God the Father looks down from heaven, he sees us as the righteousness of his Son. “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Are you wearing this royal robe of righteousness? If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you have had the old removed and the new robe placed upon you. Do you have eyes to see what has been given to you? Do you have a heart to receive this precious gift? The Lord of lords and the King of kings took your place on the cross so that you could live this life of righteousness. Embrace the new and throw off the old today!
Reflection:
Have you considered what an amazing gift has been entrusted to you? Are you delighting in your royal robe of righteousness? Take time today to meditate on these verses and thank God for the righteousness you have been given in Christ. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Related Resource:
The Resurrected Life: Making All Things New - The Bible promises that those who are in Christ are "new creatures." But how does that transformation take place? This unique Easter-season small group Bible study provides a space in which we can discover what it truly means to live a new life. As we listen, we'll learn how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything - for us. Begin the journey to new life today!
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