2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Jesus Christ never sinned. He lived his entire life without once straying from God's will or word. And while a sinless life is admittedly somewhat of a foreign concept to fallen humanity, we should not dismiss a truth because it is hard to grasp or understand.

If Christ had sinned, then his death on the cross would be meaningless. How could a sinful man offer a sacrifice for another sinful man? It was this problem that prevented the sacrificial system of the old covenant from permanently cleansing a person of sin. The blood of animals, offered by a priest who is less than perfect, can never equal the balance due an offended, wrathful, just, holy God.

Since Christ was sin-free, however, his death has great meaning. His life was perfect, and therefore his sacrifice was perfect. Perfect blood, offered by a perfect priest. That is a sacrifice -- indeed, it is the only sacrifice -- that God finds acceptable. The writer of Hebrews says in 9:14: "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Because of Christ's death on our behalf, God offers to take our sin and place it on his son. In return, he also offers to credit us with the righteousness of Christ. God takes our badness and places it on Christ, and takes Christ's goodness and places it on us. We are reconciled to God because of Jesus Christ. God's justice is met; our punishment paid in full by our Lord and Savior.

How the heart of the Father leaps for joy at this! His only son, ever faithful and true, has made it possible for the Creator to once again commune with his creation in the way he intended! Death no longer casts us from him, but rather ushers us to his side!

May our souls be lifted in wonder and our lips burst forth with praise at the thought of Christ! The grace of God in flesh, our great redeemer, high priest, mediator, and perfect sacrifice!

"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" [Romans 7:25]