For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21
My driving record is, shall we say, less than perfect. I have amassed several traffic violations over the years (along with more than a few written warnings). All of them were deserved, but I would contend that some were questionable–for example, did you know anything over 80mph is considered reckless driving in the state of Virginia? I am confident that I was in perfect control of my vehicle. The state of Virginia disagreed.
My wife, on the other hand, has an impeccable driving record–not a spot or blemish to be found. I don’t think she’s even been pulled over in any capacity. It’s quite amazing, actually.
So let’s pretend for a moment that we’re shopping for car insurance. The agent takes our information and begins a search into our driving history. I begin to brace myself for the worst, waiting for the agent to get done scrolling through the list of violations. Upon completion, he lowers his glasses from his nose, looks over his computer monitor and says, “Mr. Larkin, your record is quite extensive, but we are going to give you a rate based on your wife’s impeccable driving history.”
What a joyful day that would be!
This “great exchange” is at the heart of the gospel message. Unlike you and me, Jesus lived a sinless life–he had a perfect record. On the cross, Jesus willingly took upon himself all of our sin and paid in full the penalty that it deserved. Three days later, he walked out of the tomb proving that his payment for sin was sufficient. For all who trust in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sin, he exchanges our imperfect record for his perfect record so that on the day we stand before God to give an account, we will be judged by Jesus’ perfect, spotless, unblemished record rather than our own.
What a joyful day that will be!
VC Devotionals 