the curse.

one of my favorite verses in scripture is: 

he made him who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf,

that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 corinthians 5:21

but i've recently seen this scripture from a different angle.  

the part that says that he made him... become sin.

he became sin.

jesus in his holiness, became sin.

jesus in his righteousness, became sin.

jesus, god in the flesh, became sin.

this is really hard for me.

no matter how hard i wrinkle my forehead...

i just can't get this one.

what really got me thinking on this is galatains 3: 10-14

but specifically:

christ redeemed us from the curse of the law

by becoming a curse for us- 

for it is written,

"cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree."

galatians 3:13

pauls says he became sin.

then he says he became a curse.  

why didn't paul just say 

"jesus took our curse"

"jesus took our sin"

why did he have to BECOME these things.

i've always looked at jesus as a blessing...

which would be the opposite of a curse.

but then i think about jesus' words on the cross..

"ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?"

"MY GOD, MY GOD.  WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"

this is disturbing.

it's as if jesus is saying...

"dad, why have you turned your back on me?"

"father, why have you removed your blessing from me?"

i heard a sermon on this subject.

and the pastor said something that sounded horrific...

if one had been sleeping during the teaching this would have perked them right up.

so be prepared for this... take heed and look at it from it's very literal meaning.

because there, on the cross, on calvary's mountain, outside of jerusalem

GOD DAMNED JESUS.

and he 

became

a

curse.

jesus became a curse for us.

he became something god hated.

because he loves us that much.

i still don't fully grasp this.

who knows if i ever will.

but i know this much...

that we can either bear the curse of God... the one we fully are under... the one we fully deserve

OR

we can flee to the arms of the one who became the curse of God for us.

Joy to the world...

he comes to make his blessings flow...

far as the curse is found.