He Became Sin Who Knew No Sin?

The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:21

It's the greatest gospel verse in the Bible 2nd Corinthians 521. He made him who knew no sin Sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Let me unpack those 15 Greek words. He God made Jesus sin.

What do you mean? He made Jesus in only in one sense. He treated him as if he had committed every sin ever committed by every person who would ever believe though. In fact, he committed none of them. Hanging on the cross he was wholly harmless undefiled hanging on the cross.

He was a spotless lamb. He was never for a split second a sinner. He is Holy God on the cross, but God is treating him. I'll put it more practically as if he lived my life God punished Jesus for my sin turns right around and treats me as if I lived his life.

Penal Substitution and the Heart of the Gospel

That's the great doctrine of substitution and on that doctrine turned the whole Reformation of the church. That is the heart of the gospel and what you get is complete forgiveness. Covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ when he looks at the cross.

He sees you when he looks at you. He sees Christ. Isaiah 53 5 through 6. He was wounded for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his stripes We are healed all we like sheep have gone astray.

We have turned every one of us to his own way and the Lord has laid on him The iniquity of us all when we understand the text.