Under God's Curse

Scripture: If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. Deuteronomy 21:22-23

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. Galatians 3:13-14

Observation: Jesus was "under God's curse".

That is a very, very difficult concept to get your head around - that God's son, who was perfect, blameless, and with whom God was pleased - was under God's curse. However, if you relate the logic back to the law (which is both the reading in Deuteronomy and the lesson Paul is teaching in his letter), the logic follows:

-- The law itself does not bring salvation.
-- Anyone who lives under the law is cursed as they cannot fulfill the law.
-- The penalty for being cursed under the law is death.
-- God brought that curse upon his own son in order to fulfill the law and redeem mankind.
-- Any who have faith in Jesus receive that redemption and are no longer cursed under the law.
-- Any who do not have faith in Jesus are still subject to the law and thus its curse.

Application: Paul is very clear that all conversations about redemption through "works" are also about "the law". Thus, all conversations about right living need to be in the context of the law as well - a premise most people in our day and age have chosen to ignore.

I know I cannot live under the law. I also know that I am still to do the work of Jesus as an outpouring of my faith in him.

I am about to head into a time of work for Jesus. The yard care season will start up, and I will do anonymous work behind the scenes. Laurie has moved to full time status, and I will do more work at home that no one knows about to make that possible. Eventually I will coordinate resources for the July 4th Parade. I hope I can keep my eye on the prize throughout - Jesus took upon himself the curse of death that I deserve, so in faith and gratitude all effort I can give him is for his glory.

Prayer: Lord, please keep my heart right as we enter this season of service. I long to serve you in great ways, but moreover please keep my heart glad as I do serve you in small, hidden ways.