Let’s name an unsung hero: The substitute teacher. Suddenly thrust in front of an unfamiliar class, the substitute teacher faces a tall task. Working on short notice with perhaps a subject they have little knowledge of, the substitute has many challenges. Let’s be thankful for the work that they do for our schools and our students.
We are in the midst of Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday to Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Christians are engaged in the solemn yet joyful remembrance of the work of the greatest substitute in all of history. Now, while Jesus was certainly renowned as a teacher, this act of substitution was not in the place of an absent instructor in the setting of a classroom.
Instead, this was an act of substitution for everyone. Jesus, the King of Kings, had come to Jerusalem to do for us that which we could not do for ourselves. He came to offer himself on our behalf so that we might be forgiven.
Why was this substitution needed? Because we as humans have substituted ourselves in the place of God. Each and every one of us has in effect said to God, “My will be done.” In other words, we have put ourselves in the place of God. That’s the essence of sin. And our sins put us in debt to God, because we have unjustly withheld that which is due Him.
But, thanks be to God, Jesus said, “Thy will be done.” During Holy, justice was upheld because the debt of our sins was not only forgiven, but they were paid for. On Good Friday, Jesus offered himself in our place. On Easter Sunday, the tomb was found empty! Christ arose! This was God’s way of saying: PAID IN FULL!
And we each can receive the benefit of Holy Week in one and the same way: through faith. Through admitting our indebtedness, turning from our sins, and turning toward the King of Kings. Put your trust in Jesus and receive his gift!
This Holy Week, let’s not allow the greatest substitute ever to be an unsung hero. We invite you to join us, and congregate as God’s people to sing his praise and offer him our thanks!
Pastor Ryan
Warren Covenant Church
God is Good, All the Time!