Former Blackout Artist

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Have you ever paid the penalty for someone else’s wrong?

Many years ago I knew a fella who was driving on the interstate and another car that was identical to his car – same make, model, and color – passed by him driving well over the speed limit. But neither driver was aware that a state trooper was hidden between these huge mounds in the median just up ahead. About 2 minutes later, the guy in the car who was obeying the speed limit saw flashing lights in his rearview mirror. Of course he pulled over, and the officer pulled in behind him. He got out and asked the fella where he was going in such a rush. He tried to tell the officer that it wasn’t him who speeding – that it was a car that looked identical to his. (This was back long before police cars were equipped with computers and digital cameras.) Over and over he kept telling the state trooper that he wasn’t speeding – it was the other guy in an identical car. But the officer wasn’t buying it. He still ended up getting the speeding ticket!

Most of us would hear a story like that and think about how unfair it was for an innocent man to pay for somebody else’s wrongdoing. Yet when we come to the cross, we’re confronted with something far greater than a mistaken ticket on the side of a highway. Jesus Christ willingly took upon Himself the guilt and punishment that rightly belonged to us. There was absolutely no confusion about identity. Heaven knew exactly who we were, exactly what we had done, and exactly who Christ was.

The verse above says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus was perfectly holy. He never lied, never failed, never sinned in thought, word, or deed. Yet on the cross, God treated His own Son as if He had lived our sinful life, so that those who trust in Christ could be treated as though they had lived His righteous one. The innocent One stepped into the place of the guilty, and the debt was transferred. Then judgment fell. The price – yours and mine – was paid in full.

What makes this truth so overwhelming is that Christ wasn’t forced into it – He chose the cross. He chose the nails and the wrath our sins deserved because of His great love for us. Every sin we try to hide, every shameful thing buried deep in our hearts, and every rebellious act against God was laid upon Him. And in exchange, He offers us forgiveness. He cleanses us with His righteousness before a holy God.

That means when God looks upon the believer, He no longer sees the stain of sin. He sees the righteousness of Christ covering them completely. We could never earn that standing through good works, religion, or effort. It is a gift purchased by the blood of Jesus.

The man on the interstate paid a penalty that did not belong to him because of mistaken identity. Jesus paid our penalty because of divine mercy. He knew exactly who we were, and He loved us anyway.

And if that truth doesn’t lift your spirits on a dark and dreary day, I reckon nothing will!