Core Change

Going from blond to brunette has been called a health hazard due to the toxic chemicals involved in the process. Recently, however, scientists have been experimenting with a new material: graphene. This safer substance is processed into a gel and sprayed onto hair in order to provide a color change that lasts for 30 washes.

Unlike the superficial changes made by beauticians, Christ came to transform our sinful state by taking our sins upon Himself. Naturally, we could not change, and the sins we had already committed should have killed us. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil” (Jeremiah 13:23).

The Bible teaches that our sins—indeed, the sins of the “whole world” (1 John 2:2)—were transferred to Jesus. Isaiah expressed how God the Father would honor Jesus for taking the punishment for our law-breaking: “I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12).

Jesus never sinned in order to take our sins upon Himself. This is why Isaiah points out that He was being treated like a sinner, even though He committed no sin. As a result of His true innocence, He could take our sins and give us His innocence instead.

David realized this when he repented of his sins of adultery and murder; he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). In effect, he was believing that because of the right relation to God that the coming Messiah would have, David could receive forgiveness. By starting afresh, he could begin to live the beautiful way of life that the Messiah would live.

Apply It:

Respond with kindness to an unkind act directed toward you.

Dig Deeper:

Isaiah 53:10; Galatians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3

Key Bible Texts

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6 KJV)