The Great Exchange

“He became sin who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

I am contemplating the cross, and all that Jesus accomplished for us there. As Paul declared in the passage above, a great exchange occurred. Jesus who did not sin, nor deserved the punishment for sin, suffered and died willingly on our behalf. We who had sinned, and did not deserve righteousness, received it before we ever knew our need. Like Chris Tomlin sings in his song, “Jesus Messiah”, “Love so amazing, love so amazing…”

Jesus not only took on our sin, He literally became sin for us. I am astonished that the holy, sinless Son of God, Lord of all, lowered Himself to suffer and die for us, undeserving as we are. And even more astonishing is the truth that when we receive Him, surrender ourselves to Him, we not only receive His righteousness, we actually become His righteousness- He declares us righteous.

I am eternally thankful for the Great Exchange- He became my sin, that I may become His righteousness.

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1