The Redemption of Galatians 3:13: Jesus as the Curse-Bearer
In the Bible, particularly in Galatians 3:13, Paul teaches that Jesus took on the curse of the broken law, enabling believers to be free from judgment. This article will explore the significance of this verse and its implications for Christians today.
Understanding the Old Covenant Law
Under the old covenant, the law, those guilty of particularly heinous crimes were often punished by stoning or crucifixion, and their bodies were left hanging on a tree as a visible sign of judgment. These acts served as warnings to the community, showing the consequences of breaking God's laws. The Deuteronomy 21:22-23 and Joshua 8:29, among other passages, describe these practices. These displays of punishment demonstrated that the law was no trivial matter and dealt harshly with transgressions.
Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Law
Paul emphasized that on the cross, Jesus bore the curse of the broken law for all who would believe in Him. According to Galatians 3:13, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us". This means that Jesus, as the second Adam, who fulfilled the law perfectly, took upon Himself the consequences of sin, becoming the atonement for the sins of the world. John 3:14 and 15 reinforces this by quoting Jesus as saying, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
The Curse of the Mosaic Law
The Mosaic Law specified that individuals under the covenant who violated its laws would be cursed. According to Galatians 3:10, believers were not saved by works of the law but by faith in Yahusha. The verse in Deuteronomy 21:22-23 indicates that those who were cursed by God would have their bodies hung on a stake as a form of execution and warning. To benefit the Jewish people, Jesus had to bear this curse on the cross, becoming the ultimate example of bearing the sins of others.
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In context, Paul was addressing the Galatians who were likely tempted to revert to the legalistic practices of the old covenant, despite their newfound salvation in Jesus. He made a clear distinction between being saved by faith in Yahusha and following the traditions of men, which is analogous to the warning about stumbling stones in Romans 14. To be saved, one must trust in Yahusha and not rely solely on the law. This trust in Jesus, as the Son of Man who was lifted up, grants eternal life to all who believe.