This one might be me reading too much into this verse (if that’s possible), so I’m open to that. But it also might be kind of cool. So be open to that too.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), (Galatians 3:13)
Paul writes that Jesus became, “a curse for us,” and then goes on to quote Deuteronomy 21. Because he quotes Deuteronomy as, “cursed is …” I never really read, “Christ became a curse.” My head made it, “Christ became cursed.”
And because a curse is a word – or a series of words – usually spoken (or written to be spoken). Whereas “cursed” is a condition that someone can be in. It makes more sense to say that someone was cursed.
But that’s not what it says.
It doesn’t make sense to say that someone became a particular kind of word, unless that Person was a word to begin with.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Jesus is the Word – a good word, a blessing – made flesh. If He became a curse – the very opposite kind of word – on the cross, He exchanged His very nature on the cross so that the curse of the law would actually be crucified and killed!
Colossians tells us that Jesus made us alive with Him,
having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (2:14)
If the Word of God traded Himself to, somehow, actually become a curse, then He very literally traded the goodness that He is, for the curse that held us in bondage, to nail it to His cross.
Maybe it’s – somehow – a little more real than an abstract theological thought. Maybe He actually did it.
And no wonder He felt forsaken. No wonder the Father had to turn away.
“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” but no one else is living, breathing word. Others crucified are, “spoken poorly of,” but Jesus is word. He became a curse.
(And then, “for us.” Mind: Blown.)
I really like your abstract thought on this, it really got my brain to thinking, in a good way. It reminded me just how much empahasis God in his kingdom takes words seriously. Jesus was the word, he spoke everything into being by his word, so when I read his word sometimes I forget to take it as literal as him. I think words are many times thrown around so haphasardly like they have no power, probably a trick of the enemy of our souls to get us to not believe our own words let alone anyone elses, that what we say doesn’t matter, so say anything, it doesn’t matter. Anyways I think if your reading too much into it or not it generates some productive thinking. Also the lord seems to be a layered person, we are body soul and spirit so why couldn’t he also have salvation cleared on every level, I guess he wouldn’t be so awesome if he didn’t. Thanks for the shared thoughts, very inspiring.
“probably a trick of the enemy of our souls to get us to not believe our own words let alone anyone else’s,”
Great thought. I couldn’t agree more. Proverbs says that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and we know we’ll give an account one day for every idle word. Of course the devil would love for us to think words don’t matter.
Glad this inspired some deep thinking! 🙂