September 15, 2024 – suggested reading: Galatians 3:10-22

“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.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one. Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:13-22

Paul offers a clarifying interpretation in Galatians 3:13: “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.’” Here Paul teaches us to read the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus’ cross and resurrection. In his death, Jesus represents each one of us. He took the curse of G-d on himself so that every believer would be blessed rather than cursed. Then Paul explains further, “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus.” The blessing given to Abraham — that he believed and so it was reckoned to him as righteousness—is now for people of all nations (the Gentiles). We, therefore, are also blessed in Christ.

Jesus became a curse for us all so that all our sins could be forgiven. Jesus experienced hell and separation from G-d so that we would never be separated from G-d. Jesus became a curse so that we could be redeemed from the curse of the sin. Remember your roots – from Abraham to now, we believe that righteousness is reckoned to us through Jesus.

Pastor Dave