Pilot Knob Lutheran Substitute 10/30/2024
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Why did Jesus come to earth in a human body? He came so he could carry your sin, my sin, and the sin of the entire human race to the cross and pay its debt of death. Romans 3:23: “For the wages of sin is death.” God could not do it any other way; he needed flesh like us in order to shed his blood to make that payment.
John 1:29 . . . “the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.” This is a reference to sacrifice. Jesus became a sacrifice for you and me, our substitute instead of each of us paying for our own sin which is impossible.
When Peter says, ‘on the tree’ it means nothing less than to be damned according to Deuteronomy 21:22-23 If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. (Gal. 3:13) God condemned murder and hanging on a tree symbolized divine judgment and rejection. Jesus, hanging on a tree (cross) was condemned thus paying the full penalty for sin resulting in our freedom from sin’s power of eternal death or condemnation.
By doing so we no longer exist for sin, but rather righteousness. In other words, we die to sin and live for Jesus Christ our savior. How can this be possible? Through repentance and faith. We admit our sin and that we are sinners turning away from them and turn in the direction of Jesus. It’s like realizing you are driving in the wrong direction and you make a U-turn and go in the opposite direction, the right direction to reach your destination.
Are you going in the right direction? Are you a follower of Jesus or just a fan of his? To follow is to live by faith in his substitutionary death and live according to his principles.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today, 4:30. Confirmation class.
Sunday 1, 9:00 AM Morning worship service and Holy Communion. Sermon: United in Death and Resurrection. Romans 6:1-14
10:20 Sunday school for all ages.
GriefShare Sunday, 3 2:00-3:30. For more information go to: https://www.griefshare.org/findagroupor contact Pr. Bob or Sue Reese.
If you have any article or God sighting you would like to share with the congregation please submit it for publication in the Briefings.pastorbob@pilotknob.org
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
