Galatians 3:13
‘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.”’
The crucifixion was the crescendo of history. The Garden of Eden was the glorious beginning. The new couple enjoyed one another, the Lord and creation. Nothing could have been better. Then the serpent deceived them and sin entered. The couple was separated from God and the Garden.
Ever since then, the Lord has been trying to reconcile people back to Him. His plan was to choose a people, the jews, and through them the deliverer would come. Sin was still an issue. The Israelites were given the Law to teach them how to live and relate to God. However, this didn’t cleanse sin. The sacrificial system was introduced as a temporary fix, so they could be close to the Lord.
People had no idea where God was going with His salvation plan. They knew a messiah was coming. It was somewhat unclear, because some descriptions portrayed Him as a suffering servant (Isaiah 53), while others showed Him as a conquering king (Zechariah 14:3,4). Because of this dichotomy, some thought there were two different messiahs. We now know that Jesus is the fulfillment of both. He already came as the suffering servant. One day He will return as the conquering King.
Today’s verse speaks of Him as the suffering servant. His coming to earth brought much clarity about the Lord and how he wants people to be treated. The primary act was the humility by which He came into this world, through a poor couple on the road in a desperate situation. Later Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. This further demonstrates His humility. When human royalty moves throughout society, there is often much pomp and circumstance. While He is worthy of that, His humility limits that. Throughout eternity, the citizens of heaven will be voluntarily be giving Him praise and honor.
Jesus’ purpose on earth was mainly to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sins. A secondary one was to train His followers to bring in the New Covenant and launch the church. It wasn’t to start of popular movement. That’s why when He would heal someone, He would tell not to speak to others about it. Few obeyed, so crowds would flock to Him.
The Garden of Gethsemane was the beginning of the suffering. I don’t think we know when He began to take on the punishment for sins. Most would say on the the cross. However, I think it’s in the Garden. That’s when the great agony began. He prayed that this cup be taken from Him, but not My will, but Thine (Luke 22:42). He began to sweat great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). After this He was betrayed, arrested, beaten, falsely proven guilty and crucified. All of that was emotionally traumatizing and physically painful, up to and including dying from it. At the point of death, He declared that it was finished (John 19:30). The suffering stopped.
The cross redeemed us from the curse of the law. That pivotal point in history changed everything. We now could got to God on our own, receive His forgiveness and have a great journey with Him for the rest of our lives. Those who aren’t the redeemed see religion as a painful burden. Outside of christianity, that’s true. But in Christ is life as it was designed. We are close to the creator. “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” Such are the lyrics of the song.
Who would ever reject such a privilege? Unfortunately, many do. Mainly because they don’t know it. But that was the point of the cross. To redeem us from the curse of the Law.
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus. This is truly “The Greatest Story Ever Told”. Redeeming us from the Laws curse and the rest is a wonderful walk with You. Thank You.