Remember back in school when you had a substitute teacher? Since the substitute wasn’t familiar with you or where you were at in the curriculum, they usually were more of a babysitter than a teacher (at least that was the case growing up in the 70’s).
Sometimes people say Jesus was our substitute for us, that He suffered and died on the cross for guilty sinners. 1 Peter 2:24 states, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.” Jesus, who never sinned (1 Peter 2:22), bore our sins for us. He suffered on the cross for guilty sinners. He never sinned, yet he carried our sins upon Himself.
That is truly amazing if you think of it. We are all sinners. We have all lied, lusted in our hearts at one time or another – thereby committing adultery in our hearts and we have all coveted something that belonged to someone else, at some point in time. We have all broken the 10 Commandments. The Bible says that there is none righteous, no not one (Psalm 14:1). But Jesus carried our sins upon Himself while He hung on the cruel cross.
Because God is so Holy, He is separated from sin. God cannot tolerate sin. So even one white lie separates you from God forever, if you die in your sins. That’s why we need a substitute. We have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). There is nothing we can do on our own to get back in a right relationship with God. This can only be achieved through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus never sinned in thought, word or deed. He always did what God the Father wanted Him to do (John 4:34). He lived in perfect obedience to God the Father, even obedience to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
John 1:4:10 says, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” This is so important. Jesus was our substitute and our atoning sacrifice. But more importantly, He was our propitiation for our sins! The propitiation means that wrath was satisfied. The wrath of God that was against us was satisfied on the cross by Jesus for those who believe in Him.
This is fantastic news! Jesus took away the wrath of God that was abiding on us, if we abide in Him. Jesus bore God’s wrath in your place if you look to Jesus to save you. Jesus Christ offers you eternal salvation if you repent – turn away from your sins and put your trust in Him – surrender your life fully to Him.
Ask God to save you from your sins, to forgive you from your sins, but don’t just give God lip service. You need to stop walking in your sins, turn away from them and turn toward God (2 Corinthians 7:10). Then God’s wrath that you rightly deserve will no longer be upon you (Romans 1:18). If you cry out to Jesus then your sin debt will be paid by Him. God will no longer see you as a guilty sinner, because Jesus paid your fine. Won’t you accept the wonderful gift of salvation today (Ephesians 2:8-9)?