Ahead of Us, Not Instead of Us

“Jesus was destroyed in our place. He entered the darkness of that punishment and forsakeness to do battle and–wonder of wonders–emerged victorious. It is not a transaction, but a battle between life and death that is joined. Nor is he strictly speaking, a ‘substitute’ for us. That idea is too trivial–as though he goes through it all instead of us in such a way to leave us untouched or uninvolved. Rather, as we have said, he dies in our place, i.e. he identifies himself with us by entering that place where we must die. He does not die “instead” of us, but rather ‘ahead’ of us.”

• Gerhard O. Forde, Where God Meets Man, p. 43

The texts we hear throughout the season of Lent won’t let us forget what Jesus came to do: take our sin, own it, and carry it to the cross. It is very appealing to think that Jesus endured sin and death so that we could somehow avoid them. But Dr. Forde reminds us of what Scripture says: Jesus is not teaching us how to detour around the cross and death; instead, He goes there first and bids us come and die with Him. In Baptism, God promises that you are united with Jesus in His death. That death is the consequence of your sin, and you won’t avoid it: “You shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17).  But Baptism also promises that your sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake, and by that promise, you are joined with Him in His resurrection. Just as the Father raised His dead Son from the grave, so He will raise you with Him to eternal life. 

Grace and peace to you,

Pastor Raleigh