TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. and#8212; Galatians 3:13 and#8220;Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us and#8212; for it is written, and#8216;cursed is everyone who hangs on a treeand#8217; and#8212; in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.and#8221;

If you were to look back to the Old Testament, to the law that God had given His people, you would find this verse in Deuteronomy 21:22: and#8220;If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance.and#8221;

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born and died on a cross for our sins, God the Father had already condemned Him. He knew in which way His Son was going to die and yet, He said to His people, and#8220;For he who is hanged is accursed of God.and#8221; When Jesus died, He was fully cursed. He was cursed spiritually by becoming that which He died for: and#8220;He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him,and#8221; (2 Corinthians 5:21). And He was cursed physically, by the law: and#8220;For he who is hanged is accursed of God.and#8221;

---

---

Why did He do this for us? Why did He allow Himself to be so thoroughly condemned? In Hebrews it says it was the joy (this joy being us, His children) He saw after the cross (Heb. 12:2) that caused Him to do it. But what about the Father? How did He feel? In Isaiah 53 it says that the Father was pleased to crush Jesus. and#8220;But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and#8230; As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.and#8221;

Jesus allowed Himself to be cursed for you. Yes, yes, I know youand#8217;ve heard this a thousand times, but He gave up everything so you could live a life that brings Him glory.

---

---

Are you using His gift of life wisely or are you squandering it on your own selfish passions? Are you living as a blessed man or living as a cursed man? If you have no joy, no passion, no direction and no love in your life, know that Jesus already took your curse. Live life to itand#8217;s fullest, my friend. If you have anger, hate or jealousy dwelling in your heart, give it to the Lord by daily seeking Him. You have been forgiven. You have been redeemed. Take heart, take courage and gird your loins, for you have a purpose. Spend time meditating on Isaiah 53 and Godand#8217;s passion for you. Seek out His specific purpose for your individual life and live it every single day. You will find satisfaction in nothing else.

and#8212; Courtney Brimer is a local lover of the Lord