The one who was cursed for us

In this passage, God talks about dealing with the body of one who was killed for committing a crime.  And he said,

If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight.

Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)

The apostle Paul quotes this passage in Galatians when he said,

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:13-14)

Of course, in the case of Christ, he wasn’t murdered for a crime he committed.  Rather, he was murdered on a cross in order that our sins might be forgiven. 

By dying on a cross, he took the curse that came because of sin upon himself, and paid the price for our sin. 

And now, we are no longer due to receive God’s curse.  Rather, we await God’s blessing in our lives.

That was the greatest gift of all. 

As I write this, it’s about a week from Christmas. 

One of my favorite songs is “What Child is This?” 

Somehow the second chorus always seems to get lost in the singing when artists cover it. 

But it totally explains the why of Christ’s coming, and is the reason why it’s one of my favorite Christmas carols of all time.

Nails, spear shall pierce him through.
The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary.