I recently heard a Pastor speak as though Jesus actually became ‘sin’, not just bore the penalty for our sin. (as if that wasn’t enough)
Personally I don’t see that Jesus had to become sin, but what say you?
It says in the bible He became sin who knew no sin. So yes.
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2 Corinthians 5, 21: For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV)
So I have to accept what the Bible says because it is God Breathed!
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Thank you, for the replies.
It does raise an interesting question. If that verse is to be taken literally, how does a person literally “become sin”?
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Yes, thank you. It is the wording that I find puzzling. I can see wording that says Jesus took on the punishment for our sins, but this verse says he became sin. One preacher I listened to said it means that for that time Jesus became a -murderer/thief/liar/cheater etc that doesn’t seem right to me.
So that is a very glib response, what does become sin mean?
I think that Jesus was supernaturally transformed while on the cross to not only take the punishment for sin but to actually, like the preacher said, became the physical representation of that sin. My theory is that this happened at the point when Jesus cried out, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me.” It was at that point that the full weight of wrath against sin was poured out upon him.
But with all that said, I do not think it is as important that he became sin so much as that he bore the punishment of that sin.
In summary, he had to become sin so as to take the full punishment of that sin.
I think the verse has to be taken literally and that our minds just may not be able to fully comprehend how he became sin.
Some further interesting reading here:
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It doesn’t say Jesus is sin in the Complete Jewish Bible Translation. Here is what it says, hope it helps. 21 God made this sinless man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we might fully share in God’s righteousness."
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This is an interesting question that is loaded with a lot of Christology.
I will try to answer in the best way possible, but I would suggest further reading from the Bible and some commentaries (Orthodox ones).
Jesus Christ became sin means… Jesus Christ could only save us by becoming a human born from Virgin Mary (I suggest that you read the Council of Chalcedon and their conclusions on the person of Jesus Christ).
In his humanity he could not only live as a mortal, but also suffer as a mortal/human (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, in his humanity, Jesus crucified, by his death, all sin for those who truly receive Him and believe in his name (John 1:12-13; John 3:15-21). Jesus also destroyed or defeated death (sin) by his resurrection.
When one hears that Jesus Christ became sin (human) it means that God Himself became human, but still the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus did not sin.
Therefore, without Jesus (his humanity and divinity), we do not have any hope. But through Jesus, those of us who believe (receive) Him and obey Him, become Children of God; justified (righteous) as Jesus Christ welcomes us into God’s family.
There is a lot more to say but I hope I gave you some light.
The Lord be with you.
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Perhaps Jesus was so covered up with our sins that he was unrecognizable by the Father, who had to respond to sin with its wage—death. So the sins of the universe were wiped out by Jesus’ self sacrifice. But Jesus, who is holy, could not remain in that dead state, so God saw how pure and holy Jesus was and raised him up again… God valued Jesus blood so highly that it cleanses those of us who claim it as we believe on Christ as our Savior
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that is interesting. I can certainly see a sin offering. It also says the wages of sin is death, its hard to articulate what is in my thoughts. thank you
Your reply suggests the bible fell open and I read one line…not fully understanding this idea doesn’t or shouldn’t suggest I don’t read the bible. I do, I read it every day, have read it in multiple versions, I even check out various commentaries, (thank you to Bible Hub and Blue Letter Bible), but as a student of the Bible I admit I am still learning and desire to hear what others say. Other peoples thoughts often point me in a new direction or simply clean the glass so I see more clearly.
I am not saying I am right but the idea that Jesus ‘took on’ sin and its consequence makes sense to me. I guess my human maternal brain doesn’t want to see how my Lord ‘became’ sin.
the term hamartia refers both to sin and the offering for sin. Christ became the latter.
In order to be a sacrifice to God the animal had to be clean. If Jesus had sin or became sin or was considered sinful, He would not have been an acceptable sacrifice.
This is why in the old testament law, none of the sacrifices had the sins of the people put on them. While the scapegoat did have the sins of the people placed on him, this animal was not sacrificed, but rather was sent alive to Azazel.
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