“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
This verse is one that often confused me. How could Jesus, who was without sin, become sin? I prayed that the Lord would teach me and give me understanding.
I was drawn to John 3:14-15 which says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Then I read the Numbers 21:4-9 story of the fiery serpents who brought misery and death to the people. Isn’t sin like those serpents, bringing misery and death? Moses made a brass serpent and set it on a pole. The Lord commanded that when the people were bitten, they should look on that lifted-up serpent and be saved. The people looked with faith and lived.
It’s not the brass image that saves, but Jesus Christ alone. He became the very sin that afflicts us. God wants us to look on the cross because that is where Jesus dealt with all our sins—every sin from the most secret and hidden ones to the public ones whose consequences follow us the rest of our lives. Look to Jesus, and you will be saved.
I was drawn to John 3:14-15 which says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Then I read the Numbers 21:4-9 story of the fiery serpents who brought misery and death to the people. Isn’t sin like those serpents, bringing misery and death? Moses made a brass serpent and set it on a pole. The Lord commanded that when the people were bitten, they should look on that lifted-up serpent and be saved. The people looked with faith and lived.
It’s not the brass image that saves, but Jesus Christ alone. He became the very sin that afflicts us. God wants us to look on the cross because that is where Jesus dealt with all our sins—every sin from the most secret and hidden ones to the public ones whose consequences follow us the rest of our lives. Look to Jesus, and you will be saved.
Scripture Focus
2 Corinthians 5:21-6:2
Insight
Written by David D., Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran, CA. Please pray that David will grasp more each day the wonder of Christ becoming sin for him.
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 5-6
- Psalm 48
- Luke 12