Sin

Jesus was the Son of God (fully God) and the Son of Man (fully man). In being man, he lost none of his deity; in being God, he lived in full humanity. These truths make Jesus the only One who could die for humanity’s sin. He was sinless—the only One who did not have to pay for his own sins; he was man—the only One who could die as our sinless substitute.

Jesus and his disciples were in the area of Caesarea Philippi when he asked them what people were saying about him. What was the word on the street? The disciples told him that some believed he was John the Baptist; others said he was Elijah, and still others thought that he was Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked the most important question:

Have you been to a doctor’s office lately? It is not filled with people who are well. The healthy have no need for corrective lenses, antibiotics, heart medication, cancer treatments, hearing aids, or surgery. As Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician.” But when vision becomes blurry, the infection won’t go away, chest pains come, and concerning symptoms occur, you head to a doctor right away.

When God sent his Son into the world, he took away all the advantages and privileges of deity. Jesus came “not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Seven hundred years before his birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote this about Jesus:

The word “servant” or “slave” is a translation of the Hebrew word ebed. This is the description that God gives the coming Messiah in today’s passage.

We are sinners and cannot pay our debts. Our best efforts fall short, so God did for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Do you ever wonder why the person who cuts corners gets the promotion? Why one with no scruples lands the deal? Why do the promiscuous ones get the engagement ring? Why do the wicked ones prosper? The psalmist wondered the same thing.

Sometimes, doubt follows amazing victories. Has that ever happened to you? That’s what happened to Abraham. The great patriarch experienced a commanding victory…but then, doubt crept in.

We call it Good Friday. But “good” hardly describes what was happening, especially as Jesus’ mother stood at the foot of the cross.