Read today’s texts first: Deuteronomy 19-21; Galatians 3
The curse Jesus endured became our blessing!
It’s sometimes difficult to read through this section of the law - it seems so harsh! But, we must remember how barbaric the middle eastern culture was at this time in history (and by comparison, still is today). The Judaic law was far more just and civilized than any ancient culture of that day. In fact, the way Jesus applied OT law (Judeo Christian values) has become the foundational justice system of most developed nations today.
But what struck me this time was the practice of raising the bodies of those guilty of capital crimes on a pole as an example to others. According to 21:23, anyone who is raised on a pole is under God’s curse. Coincidentally, our reading in Galatians quotes that same verse in reference to Jesus: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole” (3:13).
Think about that. We are all law breakers, guilty of the harshest of judgments. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). We deserve to be put up on that pole, but Jesus, God’s only Son, became cursed for us, sinless yet sentenced to die on that cross in our place: the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b).
Reading about the law reminds us of how much we need God’s amazing grace. If we were to be justified by the law then we would die, but instead we are justified by faith in Jesus. That’s what the book of Galatians is all about. Paul is addressing those who are trying to undermine faith in the gospel message by emphasizing the works of the law. The law can point out our sin but falls short of saving us. “Thank You Lord for doing what I couldn’t; fulfilling the demands of the law in my place. The curse You endured became my blessing!”
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