On Holy Ground © 1999 by Charles Stanley APRIL 15 The Sin Bearer SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 2:21–25 KEY VERSE: Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. A teammate of a partially paralyzed football player tearfully told a national television audience that he would gladly take his injured friend’s place. What a noble gesture! Of course, it could only be a well-intentioned desire, for despite his empathy, he could not assume his friend’s painful condition. Yet the miracle of the Incarnation was not just that infinite God became finite flesh, but that He did so to bear all our sin on the cross. In God’s magnificent mercy, our sin was heaped onto Jesus’ sinless deity at Calvary’s holy tree. Jesus did not merely sympathize with our helpless plight; He bore the penalty of our sin—spiritual and physical death—so we might be unshackled from death’s horrible irons. God did that through the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son. Jesus was punished in your place and died for your sins, bearing the full wrath of the Father. Your sin debt has been paid. Jesus became sin for you so you might be restored to a right relationship with Him by faith in His glorious work. The Sin Bearer has finished His task. Have you trusted Him for the gift of eternal life? Have you thanked Him for going to the tree on your behalf and dying your death? Father God, my debt is paid! I rejoice! The Sin Bearer has finished His task. Thank You that I am restored to a right relationship with You by faith in the work of Your Son, Jesus.