substitute

My friend was recently confirmed as a match for a bone marrow transplant. One of his co-workers struggled with the operation because my friend was not allowed to know what kind of person would be receiving the transplant. The uncertain co-worker said, “I would have a tough time sacrificing anything for an undeserving person.” This scenario exemplifies the radical and countercultural nature of the gospel. Jesus died a criminal’s death, but that wasn’t the worst of it. He bore the wrath of God and endured the depths of the relational separation that comes with sin, yet Jesus knew no sin. He experienced death and separation in our stead, though we did not deserve it. My friend’s blood saved this person and he will never know what her character was like. Jesus’ death on the Cross saved was the only thing that could save our lives from eternal separation from God. The truth of the gospel is that we were worse off than we ever thought, but now because of Jesus we are more accepted than we ever hoped to be. This was a great reminder to me that the message of the gospel is foolishness to our culture, yet the power of God for those are saved.