What does it mean Jesus became sin for us? 1. Introduction to the Concept The statement “Jesus became sin for us” is drawn directly from 2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” This passage has long been central to Christian teaching about atonement and salvation, highlighting how the perfect, sinless Messiah took upon Himself the penalty of human sin. The language, however, can sound perplexing at first. How can One who is perfectly holy “become” sin? This teaching is best understood as Christ taking the full burden of humanity’s guilt and offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. Below is a detailed exploration in separate sections, aiming to clarify and illuminate the deeper layers of this doctrine. 2. Definition of “Sin” and the Human Condition All humans exist under the weight of sin. Scripture describes how “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is not merely an action; it is a condition of rebellion against God that leads to spiritual separation and death (Romans 6:23). In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the seriousness of sin required animal sacrifices to highlight the necessity of life given for atonement (Leviticus 17:11). Yet these sacrifices pointed forward to a greater and all-sufficient sacrifice. In the New Testament, the final answer to humanity’s predicament was provided in Christ, who was fully God and fully man. He had no sin (1 Peter 2:22), yet willingly took the penalty that sin deserved. 3. The Old Testament Background: Substitutionary Atonement Under the Mosaic Law, substitutionary atonement was vividly illustrated through sacrifices. An innocent animal bore the punishment symbolically in place of the guilty. Leviticus 16 recounts the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), when the high priest sacrificed one goat for the sins of the people and sent another goat—the “scapegoat”—into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away their iniquities. These sacrifices foreshadowed a Perfect Sacrifice. Hebrews 10:1 states that “the Law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves.” Christ is the reality to which all those sacrifices pointed, fulfilling in one self-offering what countless sacrifices had only represented. 4. The Meaning of “He Became Sin” When 2 Corinthians 5:21 says “He became sin,” it does not mean Jesus ceased to be righteous or flawless. Rather, in a legal sense, all sin was imputed—or credited—to Him (Isaiah 53:6: “the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all”). “Imputation” is a fundamental theological term meaning to attribute something to someone’s account. 1. Christ’s Sinlessness He “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This affirms that Jesus remained morally perfect. In 1 Peter 2:22, He “committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” This innocence made Him alone qualified to assume the punishment for the sins of the world. 2. Transfer of Guilt Our wrongdoing was placed upon Him. Galatians 3:13 says: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us.” This language means He took the curse that rightly belongs to humanity upon Himself. 3. Judicial Substitution The concept “He became sin” involves an exchange: Jesus taking our sins on Himself, and believers receiving His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is similar to a legal transaction in which one person volunteers to pay the debt of another. In the realm of eternal justice, Christ offers to pay humanity’s debt to satisfy divine justice. 5. Biblical Themes That Support the Concept 1. Passover Lamb Imagery During the Israelite exodus from Egypt, a lamb without blemish was slain so that its blood would protect the household from judgment (Exodus 12:5-7, 13). John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This ties the Old Testament shadow (the lamb) to the New Testament fulfillment (Christ). 2. Prophecies in Isaiah 53 Isaiah foretold “He was pierced for our transgressions… and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6). This prophecy, written centuries before Christ, is widely recognized as a direct prediction of His atoning suffering and depicts the “Suffering Servant” bearing the sin of many. 3. Paul’s Exposition on Atonement In Romans 5:8, Paul explains that “God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The apostle frames Jesus’ sacrificial death as the ultimate demonstration of divine love and grace. 6. The Divine Exchange: Our Sin for His Righteousness The latter part of 2 Corinthians 5:21 states the purpose for which Christ was made sin: “so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” This twofold exchange is crucial: 1. Our Sin on Christ As a perfect sacrifice, He could absorb the full penalty of sin. This wasn’t a mere display of solidarity with humanity but a judicial, cosmic exchange. On the cross, He bore every transgression, so that all who trust Him have their debt canceled (Colossians 2:13-14). 2. Christ’s Righteousness to Believers Simultaneously, believers share in His righteousness. Romans 4:5-8 describes how faith is “credited” as righteousness, using Abraham as an example. Because Christ has sufficiently paid the penalty, those who place faith in Him stand clothed in His moral perfection, blameless before God. 7. The Global and Eternal Impact 1. Victory Over Death Because sin’s penalty is death (Romans 6:23), Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection broke the power of death for all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). His resurrection is a pivotal confirmation that His sacrifice was acceptable before God. 2. Reconciliation and Peace In addition to removing sin, Christ’s work “reconciles” us to God (Romans 5:10). The completion of that reconciliation results in genuine peace: “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). 3. Daily Life and Sanctification Believers experience ongoing transformation, gradually conforming to His character by means of the Holy Spirit. Although perfected righteousness is fully ours in Christ, we also grow practically in holiness as we live out the new life purchased for us (Ephesians 4:22-24). 8. Common Misunderstandings 1. Christ Did Not Literally Become “Sinful” The phrase “made Him…sin” does not mean Christ became morally corrupt. Rather, it indicates that He took the penalty and identification with our sin. 2. More Than Moral Example While Jesus’ life is the supreme model of love and virtue, this teaching goes beyond mere moral example. It emphasizes a literal atonement that accomplished real forgiveness. 3. Does Not Endorse Ongoing Sin His bearing of sin does not encourage believers to live in sin or take grace lightly. Scripture calls believers to strive for holiness out of gratitude for the sacrifice made (Romans 6:1-2). 9. Application to Personal Faith 1. Acceptance of Grace Recognizing that Christ assumed the penalty for sin opens the door to receive forgiveness. Ephesians 2:8-9 underscores that salvation is by grace through faith, never by our own works. 2. Confidence in Salvation Because Jesus bore sin in full, believers can be assured that God’s justice is satisfied. This gives unwavering confidence in the hope of eternal life (1 John 5:13). 3. A Call to Relationship The grace poured out through Christ’s atoning sacrifice invites a deep personal connection with God. This goes beyond religion as a ritual and leads to a living, loving relationship with the Creator (John 17:3). 10. Conclusion The idea that Jesus “became sin” for us pivots directly on the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, deeply rooted in Scripture and foreshadowed by the Old Testament sacrificial system. It underscores the severity of sin, the immense love of God, and the radical nature of Christ’s saving work. He who was sinless took on the punishment deserved by humanity, so that all who place faith in Him are granted His righteousness, reconciled to God, and assured of eternal life. “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) This divine exchange encapsulates the heart of the gospel: our sin for His righteousness, our death for His life, and, ultimately, our separation for His eternal union with us. |
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