God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
You’ve probably heard of an “exchange rate,” which sets the value of a certain country’s currency compared to the currency of another country. The exchange rate for one U. S. dollar to the euro, for example, is .91. Today I’d like to give you a word of great encouragement as we plumb the depths of the eternal exchange rate: The value of our eternal country’s currency compared to that of our earthly country today.
The deepest, most comprehensive view of our righteous, eternal exchange rate comes into view when we behold the cross of Calvary, where Jesus laid down His life for the lost. That exchange, which is often referred to as The Great Exchange, is set forth in our verse for today, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Jesus exchanged His righteousness for our sin
Jesus stood in the place of the guilty and paid the penalty for our sins, redeeming us by His perfect righteousness. Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He remained sinless (Hebrews 4:15). To be sure, it would take a lifetime to fully grasp this unimaginable eternal exchange rate, which was freely given to us by Jesus and is freely offered to all sinners, for God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11), but desires for all sinners to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The key to living the life God has called us to live is to consistently keep this incredible truth before us.
But that’s not all! Here are three more incredible eternal exchange rates that should rock your world.
Jesus exchanged His blessings for our curses
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 tree.” 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. (Galatians 3:14-15)
Jesus exchanged His perfect health for our diseases
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 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)
Jesus exchanged His glorious riches for our poverty
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
To think that the sinless Son of God would provide this kind of righteous, eternal exchange rate for fallen and broken sinners boggles the mind. Yet this is exactly what the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit planned from before the foundation of the world (Hebrews 13:20). When we keep what Jesus did for us on that cross in view, I am convinced that we will begin to understand what it means to live the abundant life Jesus promised to those who believe. Think about this for just a minute: Before God formed Adam from the dust of the ground . . . He loved you! Jesus Christ had agreed to die for you! You are of tremendous, eternal value to God!
Have you received this eternal exchange rate from your Redeemer? He offers it to you without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). Simply believe in the Lord Jesus and in what He did on your behalf . . . and you are redeemed. Your sins–all your sins–exchanged for His perfect righteousness.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 