Hungry for God: Bore Our Sins

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.”—1 Peter 2:24.

In 2003, there was a strike by the garbage workers of Chicago. Garbage didn’t get picked up for nine days. It doesn’t sound like much, but it was crazy. The amount of garbage that piled up in that short amount of time was unbelievable. Every single garbage can had garbage pouring out of it; some had been torn open, while other bags were piled on top of other bags. The smell was deplorable. One could barely breath just walking down the street.

Now, imagine the garbage were sin. All of the sins we have ever done. And imagine it wasn’t just our garbage, but the garbage of the world. Every single sin—every murder, every rape, every child molestation, every theft, or violent act, every unkind word, every lie, every act of deceit, every act of sexual immorality, every sodomy, every single sin was cast upon Jesus while He was on the cross. He died for all of our sins, He bore our sins, and not ours only, but for the sins of the whole world, as the Bible says,

“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world”—1 John 2:2.

Think about that. He bore our sins. Think about your sins for a moment. Every sin you have ever done. Think about every lie you’ve told. Every time you’ve stolen. Every evil thought you’ve had. Every evil action you’ve done. Think about every sin—lust, lying, stealing, sexual immorality, overeating, cutting, vanity, dishonoring of parents, coveting, love of money, love of self, fornication, sodomy, pornography, gossip, pedophilia. Whatever sin you have done, He took upon Himself, and not only yours, but all of humanity.

Marvel at the cross again, beloved. Remember what Jesus did for you! He died so that you might live. Live in light of His unbelievable love and remember that He died to set you free from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and we look forward to the day when we will be free from the very presence of sin. Amen.