Christ Our SubstituteSample

Christ’s Death Overturns Humanity’s Death Sentence

Jesus, humanity’s only Savior, took the sin of the whole world upon Himself. Because the punishment for sin is death (Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 6:23), He knew that by taking our sin upon Himself, He was choosing to die as our Substitute. When He sacrificed His own life on the cross, He bore the punishment for all of humanity’s sin. Because of Him, everyone—men and women, young and old—can be totally redeemed and released from the bondage of sin and death. We no longer have to live alienated from God, and we can receive eternal life. Jesus, who was innocent, took upon Himself the sin and consequences humankind deserved to bear. Jesus paid our debt. He is the only Redeemer.

In his book, God’s Love Plan, my father, Dr. T. L. Osborn, wrote, “If someone who is innocent of sin would be willing to take the place of someone who is guilty, and assume full punishment for their sin, then the guilty one would be free and could be restored to friendship with God, as though no sin had ever been committed. This was God’s idea.” The Bible tells us that “Jesus . . . suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).

Christ’s substitution is indispensable in our salvation. His sacrifice is the pivotal scene in God’s Big Picture. Our eyes are drawn to God’s passion for people as His love is displayed for all to see. Our minds are bewildered as we try in vain to understand the drama of His cross. Our hearts are gripped by the horror of our condition and by the Creator’s personal identification with our death sentence.

Christ was our Substitute in death. When He gave His life on the cross, it was not because He was guilty of any wrong. He died in our place. We were guilty; He was innocent (See Isaiah 53:4–5; Hebrews 4:14–16, 7:26). His blood was poured out to remove all evidence of sin from us and to buy us back—to redeem us—from death. Through His resurrection, He made a way to restore us to new life with God now and eternal life hereafter. All we need to do is have faith in Him (John 6:38–40; Romans 6:5–7).

Thank You for taking my sin upon Yourself. I’m learning that You have given me a new life.