Perspectives

Jesus was our substitute for sinning against God

By Seth Carter
Posted 10/20/22

Have you ever thought about the teachers you had in school who had the greatest impact on you? Are any of them substitute teachers? I honestly can recall only two substitute teachers; one in sixth …

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Perspectives

Jesus was our substitute for sinning against God

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Have you ever thought about the teachers you had in school who had the greatest impact on you? Are any of them substitute teachers? I honestly can recall only two substitute teachers; one in sixth grade because we had him for two quarters while our teacher was on maternity leave and one in elementary school who was a family friend. I vaguely remember some of the shenanigans our class (or someone in the class) pulled with “subs” through the years, but I don’t remember the name or face of the teacher, just the shenanigans. 

Why are our usual teachers more memorable? Obviously, they spend a lot more time with the students, devoting relational and emotional capital to urge their class forward in learning. Also, many “subs” I had were there for the paycheck and not really invested in the class or simply not up to speed with the subject. At a time when the teacher couldn’t be there, our class needed someone to push play on the video and make sure we all stayed in the schoolroom without lighting anything on fire.

Have you ever embarked on a baking project perhaps to indulge a craving and then, once committed to making Gramma’s mouth-watering, old-fashioned goodness, discover that you don’t have any eggs? Or you are out of baking soda or cream of tartar? (Personally, if I find something like “cream of tartar” in a recipe I’m following, I’m probably out of my league.) Never fear! You can substitute something for the ingredient you are lacking!

Whether you are substituting something because of food allergies, missing ingredients or even trying to lower the fat content of your favorite recipe, it’s easy to view “substitutions” as a kind of emergency protocol, something we have to do that is somehow less than the original. 

Have you ever considered that you need a substitute before God? At this point the connotations we may have regarding substitution as subpar become a hindrance to us. This is a substitute that we need. Here’s why. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans chapter 3, “there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Whether we sin a lot or a little is not the distinction. The point is that since we all sin, we are all subject to the wrath of God. A little later in this letter to the Romans, Paul said, “the wages of sin is death.” So if we have all sinned and since our sin earns us death, we should be looking for an alternative! The stakes are higher than a passing grade or a tasty recipe. 

Fortunately for us, Jesus is the alternative, not just one of many options, he is the only way we can come to God and be reconciled to him. Hebrews 9:22 declares that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness,” and what is on the line is my blood or yours. Our blood is what is required of us for our sin, our rebellion and disobedience against God’s design for us. What we deserve is death, but God has a way out for us! God doesn’t just pardon our sin, writing it off as if it never happened. The expression of his grace to us is allowing for a substitute. Be careful not to think too highly of yourself here though. Jesus’ substitution is not just taking your place in your absence. He is taking your place in your insufficiency. In Hebrews 10:10 it says, “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” You and I have the opportunity to say “yes” to Jesus as He offers Himself as your substitute in death! What do you have to lose? Everything. What could you possibly gain in this arrangement? Everything. 

I am praying that you will agree to the substitution of Jesus on your behalf.

 

(Seth Carter is director of Campus Ventures in Powell.)

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