“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole”. Galatians 3:13 NIV.
It is a brand new week and it is an opportunity again to bring you a new edition of Vignettes of Grace. In my piece today I will focus on verse 13 of Galatians 3.
This verse remains an eternal source of joy and rejoicing to the heart of the believer. It tells us that Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law. The term used here in verse 13 for “redeem” is the word that means “to buy out of slavery”. We were under the curse of the law (remember that terrible curse from earlier series?) but Christ has bought us out from under that curse.
This verse of Scripture not only tells us the fact of our redemption from the curse of the law but also tells us how Jesus actually redeemed us. He became a curse for us. This is a strong declaration of Christ’s substitutionary redemption for us. Jesus Christ in His death took the penalty of every guilty lawbreaker and actually died in our place (1 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus did not just die an ordinary death, He actually took a death worthy of only an accursed criminal (Deuteronomy 21:23). There was no worse shame, no worse experience than what He faced. There was nothing more cruel, nothing more sorrowful and nothing more painful than the treatment our Saviour received.
What a beautiful exchange! The only blessed, innocent, holy and righteous one took our place and by so doing He redeemed you and I. Sometimes it just leaves me speechless. Sometimes it just takes me to the point of shedding tears. Sometimes it makes me pour my heart in thanksgiving and praise when I consider the wonders of His grace.
Instead of remaining under the curse of the law, we have now been made of the company of the redeemed. As we go into the week can we dwell on this thought? Let your soul spring in elation as you fix your mind on the reality that Jesus took your place, became a curse for us and redeemed us.
My song for the week is “Beautiful Exchange” by Hillsong. Have a great week. This has been another snapshot of God’s inexhaustible grace.
"Beautiful Exchange" by Hillsong Live
If we don't understand the cost of our sins, we won't appreciate the immense value of our redemption. If we don't know how weighty our sins are, we won't know the relief of being redeemed. I just learned recently that sin is still very potent, potent enough to cause death and devastation, alienation and annihilation. But thank God that we've been spared from condemnation in Christ!
ReplyDeleteVery true Achunike. I am convinced that this has been one of the devil's deceptive ploys to keep us from appreciating the outstanding worth of our redemption in Christ. We were dead in sin, alienated from God, hopeless and doomed. But then, God's grace has now made the vital difference!
DeleteHalleluyah, Our God is awesome. He that the Son has set free is free indeed.
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