Jesus Bore the Punishment We Deserved

In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins. ---Colossians 1:14

When Jesus finished the earthly ministry God had given Him, He was about thirty-three years old. Only one thing was left to do. Jesus, the Son of God—the One who never sinned, who never made a mistake in His life, who never hurt anyone and always helped everyone—had to die on the Cross.

The cross was a death reserved for criminals. If anyone belonged on that cross, it was you and I—not Jesus. You may be saying, “Wait a minute! I haven’t stolen anything! Or I’ve not murdered anyone!” Well, maybe you haven’t, but you are still a criminal in the eyes of God. Why? Because you were simply born as a human being. Let me explain.

When Adam and Eve rebelled against God by eating from a tree specifically set apart by God that they should not touch, they became sinful… or sinners. It was a spiritual transfer from perfect, obedient people that God had created for His good pleasure, to willfully disobedient, rebellious people. It was then that sin entered the world. So, from the loins of Adam came sinful children and thus all through the centuries, we are born sinners. We disobey God without even trying! We hurt others, without thinking or even contemplating it!

God, who is perfect and pure could not associate with mankind any longer because they were sinful. That is why Jesus had to come into the world. To re-establish a relationship with God, the Father who has always wanted a relationship with His children, His creation.

The Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) We were the ones who sinned, made mistakes and hurt people. We deserved to go to the place of judgment. But Jesus took our place. He is “the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Jesus knew there was no other human being that had ever been born, was still living or would be born in the world in the future that could do what only He could do. That was to sacrifice Himself for us so we could once again have a relationship with our Father in Heaven. Scriptures tell us that “Without the shedding of blood (there) is no remission of sin.” (Hebrews 9:22) Someone had to die for us. We were the ones that deserved death, but Jesus took our death on Himself so we can walk in newness of life. Not only that, but now we can live forever in Heaven with Jesus and the Father when we accept Him as our Savior.

Confession: Jesus, my Savior, redeemed me. With the price of His own blood, He became the way for me to be reconciled to the Father. He took my sicknesses and my spiritual death so I could have His health and His eternal life.