Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. (Gal. 3:13)
DURING THE NUREMBERG TRIALS, Nazis Hermann Goering, Alfred Jodl, and Wilhelm Keitel were all found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to death by hanging. Keitel refused to appeal the sentence but did appeal the type of execution. Jodl and Goering also appealed the type of execution. The three military men felt that their status as officers earned them the right to die by firing squad, while hanging was reserved for criminals. The tribunal denied their request because they had been tried and found guilty as criminals and not as soldiers. Goering escaped the hangman’s noose by committing suicide, but Keitel and Jodl both ended their lives at the end of a rope.
Deuteronomy 21:23 says that “anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.” As today’s passage states, this includes Jesus. He died a dishonorable and painful death as a criminal, hanging from a wooden cross. It was the last way any Jew would have chosen to die.
Yet Jesus did choose it (John 10:17–18). Even though He was God, He “humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). And He did it for us (Isa. 53:5).
That sacrifice is the foundation of the Christian faith. Because Jesus chose to die in our place, we have confidence in our salvation.
Thank Jesus for dying a dishonorable death in your place.
Kathryn Page Camp enjoys photography, reading, and sailing Lake Michigan with her husband of thirty-five years.
