He himself bore our sins (1 Peter 2:24)

A song written by Stuart Townend causes a lot of emotion to me as I sing the chorus. In fact, when the song was first released in 1995 I could not even sing the chorus without completely choking up and losing the ability to sing. Even after all the intervening years I still well up with emotion at the image portrayed in the chorus of the song. It goes like this:

Behold the man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders;

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished;

His dying breath has brought me life –

I know that it is finished.

It is quite overwhelming to think that my sin caused him so much pain and that because of my rebellion He was subjected to a horrible death experience. Equally overwhelming is that He willingly took my sin upon himself without complaint. 

Then my heart turns to thankfulness and appreciation because there was no other way to accomplish what needed to be done to fit me for eternity. 

It becomes incredibly clear that part of discipleship is helping people understand there is no other way to be forgiven; there is no other way to a fulfilling and fruitful life here on earth; there is no other way to peace with God for eternity; without accepting the finished work of Jesus on the cross. 

KR Paton