In writing the Corinthian letter, Paul stated that God made Christ “who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  The original text simply reads:  ”The one who knew no sin, he made sin on our behalf,…”  The context makes it clear that Paul is stating what God did through Jesus Christ on our behalf.

This statement is enough t0 blow one’s mind.  ”God made Christ to be sin.”  Think of it:  Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and never sinned.  True, he was tempted in all the ways we are, but he did not sin.  (See Hebrews 4:15).  Why then did God make him to be sin?  For one reason only; to reconcile us to God and to save us from sin.  (Read it in Romans 5:6-10).  Did even one of us deserve it?  Absolutely not!  The motivating reason is stated by the apostle in verse 5:  ”the love of God.”

Once this is clear to us, we’ll have no problem understanding why God the Father kept silent while his Son, on that cross, cried out:  ”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46. NIV).  To be sure, God had not forsaken him, but He was compelled to remain silent while Jesus was paying the supreme sacrifice of  atoning for our sins.  It was in this awesome act that God made Christ to be sin and remained silent while Jesus willingly offered himself to satisfy the justice of God  and to provide the means for sin to be forgiven and too be  removed from our lives.

Finally, the crowning purpose is stated:  ”that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21)   Praises God! and thank you Jesus!