Ezekiel Kimosop Supporter

How Did Jesus Become Sin in 2 Corinthians 5:21?

2 Corinthians 5:21 says: "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 [Christ]."

The writer of this text of Scripture employs allegorical language to explain the essence of Jesus' atoning death on the cross of Calvary. A plain reading of the text may appear to suggest that Jesus was literally made a sinner at the cross. Nothing could be further from the truth! This Scripture applies metaphorical language to teach an important divine truth - that Jesus carried the weight and burden of our sin at the cross yet He was without sin. He was undeserving of the condemnation that He suffered to redeem us. 

If Jesus was truly made sin, and hence became sinful, He would not have satisfied God's divine purposes for the atonement. Only a sinless Lamb of God could qualify to be slain at Calvary. 

Elsewhere in Scripture, we learn that Jesus voluntarily submitted Himself to the Father in order to come and redeem us (Philippians 2:1-10). When Scripture speaks of Jesus being made sin, it underscores the theological paradox in His redemption work. It was inconceivable that a member of the divinity could come down to take on the role that Jesus accepted as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). 

In His incarnation, Jesus came to us as our kinsman Redeemer. He took on flesh and was in every essence human except that He was sinless. This was a significant feature in His incarnate coming and atoning death. There was no one in heaven, on earth or under the earth who could have taken the place of Christ in redeeming humanity. 

Revelation 5:2-5 says "2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (NKJV). 

Revelation 5:9-10 celebrates Christ's triumphant mission at the cross, saying:

" 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made [d]us kings[e] and priests to our God;
And [f]we shall reign on the earth.” (NKJV).

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