Substitution- Part 2: Our Sin Bearer
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (New International Version, NIV)
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:10-22 (New International Version, NIV) emphasis mine
Jesus bore our sins and sickness so we don’t have to. Jesus took our punishment so we won’t bear the punishment for our sins. Therefore, we need to stop punishing ourselves for past sin. Jesus bore, God forgave, and the Holy Spirit has set us free.
Stop carrying sin in your mind. Put past sins out of your mind- do not remember them. Stop carrying past sins in your emotions by feeling bad for what you did. If you’ve sincerely repented for sin, then God remembers it no more (Hebrews 8:12). You need to stop remembering them as well. Stop talking about what you did- as long as you do, you cannot get free from it. By bringing them up, you give them power over you. And Jesus died so sin would no longer have any power over you.
Sin has been defeated and you have been freed (I John 1:9, Hebrews 9:14). Banish all thoughts of past sin from your mind and mouth (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4;23, Philippians 4:13-14). As our Sin Bearer, Jesus carried our punishment. We don’t have to! Cast all your cares upon Jesus and He will carry your cares. Then, let Him carry you, resting in His loving arms.
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (New International Version, NIV)
