“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
(Galatians 3:13)
Scripture teaches that the mediatory work of Christ includes both His active obedience in fulfilling the law and His suffering and death in bearing the penalty that sin deserved. This passage in Galatians draws particular attention to that second aspect of His mediatory work—the sufferings through which He redeemed His people from the curse of the law.
The law of God is holy, righteous, and good. It reveals the will of God and establishes the standard by which every human life is measured. Yet the same law that displays God’s holiness also pronounces judgment upon sin. Because all people have transgressed the law, its curse touches all humanity—the just sentence of divine judgment against those who violate God’s commands. The curse exposes the seriousness of sin and reveals the impossibility of salvation by human merit.[1]
The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Lord would lay the iniquity of His people upon the promised Redeemer; other Scripture declares that the Servant of the Lord would make His soul an offering for sin and bear the transgressions of many. Paul later echoes these prophecies by declaring that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for His people.
This language expresses the profound mystery of Christ’s substitutionary suffering. Christ Himself was without sin. No guilt belonged to Him by nature or by action. Yet He willingly took the place of sinners and bore the penalty that their sins deserved. In doing so He was made a curse for them. The expression does not mean that Christ became sinful, but that He bore the judgment that sin deserved.
To be under the curse of the law is to be exposed to the full weight of divine justice. Such a person stands condemned before God and subject to the consequences of sin. Christ, though perfectly holy, placed Himself in the position of those who were condemned so that He might bear their judgment in their place.
Jesus Christ is both true God and true man united in one person. As man He was able to suffer and die; as God His suffering possessed infinite worth. This union of the divine and human natures gives the cross its saving power. The blood that was shed was truly human blood, yet the person who shed it was the eternal Son of God. For this reason the sacrifice of Christ was sufficient to redeem countless sinners and to satisfy the demands of divine justice completely.
Contemplations:
- Grateful for Christ bearing the curse in my place. Lord, I am so grateful that the curse of the law which stood against me has been borne by Christ. I deserved the judgment that my sins demanded; yet the Savior took my place and endured the penalty that belonged to me. This truth fills my heart with humble praise.
- Thankful for the infinite worth of Christ’s sacrifice. Father, thank You that the sacrifice of Christ possesses infinite value because He is both God and man. His suffering was not the suffering of a mere man but of the eternal Son who took our nature upon Himself. I thank You that such a sacrifice is sufficient to redeem my soul.
- Grateful for redemption from condemnation. Lord, thank You that through Christ I am redeemed from the curse of the law. The judgment that once threatened me has been removed. Instead of condemnation I receive mercy, and instead of wrath I receive grace. My heart rejoices in this great deliverance.
- Thankful for the love revealed at the cross. Heavenly Father, I give thanks for the love revealed in the suffering of Christ. The cross shows the depth of Your mercy and the greatness of Your grace toward sinners. I praise You that such love has been extended even to me.
Prayer (Thanksgiving)
Gracious and holy God, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for the redemption accomplished through Jesus Christ. Your Word declares that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, and I am grateful for the immeasurable mercy revealed in this truth.
I praise You that You did not leave sinners under the condemnation that our sins deserved. The law rightly declared our guilt and pronounced judgment against us. Yet in Your mercy You sent Your Son to stand in our place and bear the penalty that belonged to us.
Thank You for the willingness of Christ to endure suffering and shame for the sake of those He came to save. He who knew no sin took upon Himself the burden of our guilt so that we might be delivered from the curse. This sacrifice reveals the depth of Your love and the greatness of Your grace.
I thank You that the suffering of Christ possesses infinite value because of who He is. As the eternal Son of God united with true humanity, His sacrifice is sufficient to satisfy divine justice and redeem all who trust in Him. Because of His work I no longer stand under condemnation but under grace.
Lord, fill my heart with continual gratitude for this great redemption. Help me never to treat lightly the suffering of Christ or the price that was paid for my salvation. May the cross remain central in my thoughts and shape my devotion each day. And may my life bear witness to the grace that has delivered me from the curse of the law.
I offer You praise and thanksgiving for the salvation You have accomplished through the suffering and death of Your Son.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Gal. 3:13:
Gal. 4:5; Acts 5:30; Rom. 3:24; 1 Peter 3:18
[1] Peter Sterry, A Discourse of the Freedom of the Will, (London: Printed for John Starkey.., 1675), 235–236.
