07/04/2023
THE DIVINE EXCHANGE
By The Rt. Rev Onesimus Asiimwe
Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese.
Today, Good Friday, we are reflecting on 'The Divine Exchange' that took place on the Cross, based on two Scriptures:
1. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV): _"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."_
The evil that was due to us came upon Jesus, that in return, the good due to Jesus might be offered to us. The evil came upon Him that the corresponding good might be offered to us.
Firstly, Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven.
In the Old Testament times, the person who sinned was required to bring his sacrificial offering - a sheep, a goat, a bull, or some other animal to the priest. He would confess his sin over the offering, and the Priest would symbolically transfer the sin he had confessed from the person to the animal. Then, the animal would be killed, thus paying the penalty for the sin that had been transferred to it.
God made the soul of His Son Jesus Christ an offering for sin.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, _For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him"._
This is God's righteousness, and it is not achieved by our own efforts but imparted on us by faith alone. Therefore, Jesus received the punishment due to our transgressions and iniquities that we, in turn, might be forgiven and so have peace with God.
Secondly, Jesus was wounded that we might be healed.
Jesus also bore our sicknesses and pains that we through His wounds might be healed. He bore our sicknesses and pains that we through His wounds might be healed. This exchange is confirmed in His healing ministry. Jesus healed all who were sick, to fulfill that which was spoken by Prophet Isaiah
