THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 20-23
“Anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23)
As I read from Moses’ Law, I am struck by how dark the world was, and is.
Most of these laws deal with violence, injustice, crime, brokenness, misery.
Laws for awful scenarios are needed, and the laws themselves are dark.
But through the curse and the laws, we see hints of hope, grace and mercy.
There is no hope in the picture of someone hanging on a pole.
Their crime was a capitol offense, a sin against the whole nation (21:22).
Exposed for all eyes to see, the ultimate in judgment and shame… accursed.
“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.'” (Galatians 3:13)
Jesus dies a sinner’s death, the ultimate death penalty for all people.
But He does not die for His sin, but for ours – shamed and exposed for our crimes.
He dies our death, the death penalty of Genesis 2:, “you will certainly die!”
In our darkness, Jesus brings hope to this picture of someone hanging on a pole.
Crime is punished, curse is broken, and hope is restored… through Jesus!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, we live in a dark, cursed world… we have made this into a dark, cursed world. Thank You for breaking the curse, and giving us hope that the world can be better again, with You!