The Substitute

Jesus being our Substitute goes beyond our normal English usage of the word. To us, a sub is not on the first team, a sub is not as good as the regular; a sub is a 'stand in', a 'fill in', an inferior to give the superiors a rest. In sports and in schools, subs get a bum rap. I look back in horror at how I treated subs when I was in junior high and high school.

Not so with Jesus. He is not on the second team. He is not an alternate choice. He was planned to take our place. He is God's plan A. But similar to subs we know He was treated badly and unfairly. "His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance." He was beaten to a pulp by ungodly men, pawns in the hands of the devil and culpable themselves. He was whipped and thrashed and abused to the point of death. And then He was put on a cross to die, made a spectacle to the world. It was all for love that the Creator of the Universe allowed Himself to be dealt with this way. It was because He planned it that He allowed it (Is. 53:10).

The Substitute. My Savior. My Friend.