“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin
on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB
Martin Luther, who led
the charge in the Protestant Reformation, referred to this verse as ‘The Great
Exchange.’ The truth of what God in Christ accomplished for me on the cross is
overwhelming. Consider for a moment the unfathomable, unconditional love of God
demonstrated at Calvary. The Bible says that Jesus, who was sinless and
perfect, willingly became our sin. The very Son of God was declared guilty of
lying, stealing, adultery, murder, hatred, and on and on we could go. He
exchanged his righteousness for our sin.
Martin Luther, describing
‘The Great Exchange,’ penned the following words:
“Therefore, my dear
brother, learn Christ and him crucified. Learn to pray to him an, despairing of
yourself, say: ‘Thou, Lord Jesus, art my righteousness, but I am thy sin. Thou
hast taken upon thyself what is mine and hast given to me what is thine. Thou
has taken upon thyself what thou wast not and hast given to me what I was not.
Beware of aspiring to such purity that you will not wish to be looked upon as a
sinner, or to be one. For Christ dwells only in sinners. On this account he
descended from heaven, where he dwelt among the righteous, to dwell among
sinners. Meditate on this love of his and you will see his sweet consolation.
For why was it necessary for him to die if we can obtain a good conscience by
our works and afflictions? Accordingly you will find peace only in him and only
when you despair of yourself and your own works. Besides, you will learn from
him that just as he received you, so he has made your sins his own and has made
you his righteousness.”
This truth is humbling
because it reminds us that we (as God’s children) are equally valued and loved
by God. We are all one at the foot of the cross. In moments of life when I
begin to think more highly of myself than I ought or that my needs are more
important than the needs of others, I need only gaze at the cross. For in the cross,
there was One who humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death so
that I might live.
Friends, life is not
about us. It’s about a stewardship that has been given to us by God. Let’s
faithfully manage the time, gifts, and monies that he has given to us, while keeping
in mind the glorious and humbling truth commonly called ‘The Great Exchange.’
Serving Together,
Pastor Brett