“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” -2 Corinthians 5:21

I know too many that might say that this may not be their favorite Scripture, but if they were to take the time and break it down word for word, I believe that it would change the minds of those that are truly saved.

Let me unpack those 15 Greek words for you.

He, God, made Jesus sin.  What do you mean that He made Jesus sin (Isiah 53:6)?

He made Jesus sin only in one sense, He treated Him as if He had committed every sin ever committed by every person who would ever believe though, in fact, He committed none of them (Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5; John 8:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Hanging on the cross, He was holy, harmless, and undefiled (Hebrews 7:26).

Hanging on the cross, He was the spotless Lamb (John 1:29).

He was never at any time a sinner.  Rather, He was the holy God on the cross (John 8:46).

God is treating Him like He lived my life.  God punished Jesus for my sins, and then turns around and treats me as if I lived His life (1 Peter 3:18).

This is the great doctrine of substitution.  On this doctrine turned the whole Reformation of the Church. This is the heart of the Gospel (John 3:16).

What you get is complete forgiveness, covered by the blood and the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:5).

When He looks at the cross, the Father sees you, and when He looks at you, He sees Christ. Amen!

Article posted with permission from Sons of Liberty Media.  Article by Bradlee Dean.