Question: Why did Jesus come to earth on that first Christmas Day?
Answer: To become sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.
Those of a similar age to me might remember wasting countless Saturday mornings watching Swap Shop. Back then, whilst the cool kids were laughing themselves silly at the antics of Bob Carolgees and Spit the Dog on ITV’s Tiswaz, I was unaccountably drawn to the nonexistent drama that was being played out as Mike from Minchinhampton offered a first edition etch-a-sketch in return for a 1976 Blue Peter Annual.
But not all swaps are as insignificant as those that, in the early 1980’s, the BBC passed off as cutting edge children’s entertainment.
For the swap that Jesus offers us is far more intriguing, offering us his righteousness for our sin. That’s what it means when we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that ‘he who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God.’
By accepting this great exchange, not only does it mean that, when he was crucified, Jesus was bearing the punishment for our sin, but also that, dressed in Christ’s righteousness, we can stand confidently before God. This is not because we have been good, but because Christ has been good on our behalf. And so, as well as being counted as if we’d never sinned, we’re treated as if we had always done what was right.
As a result then, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [Romans 8:1].
My sin for Christ’s righteousness is a swap that I’m very happy to make – one that makes me very glad that, to make it possible, Jesus came to earth on that first Christmas Day.
To reveal the secrets concealed behind door 9 of last year’s Christmas Countdown, click here
Some musings 