The Backpack Exchange

Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so Christ could make us acceptable to God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (CEV)

Imagine having a backpack strapped on and everything you do wrong adds another 10 pounds to your back. Did you bite as a little kid? Add another stone. Steal crayons in elementary school? More weight. Talk back to your parent? Even more weight added.

Even one sin is more weight than you can carry, but an entire life of sin? Crushing! There’s absolutely no way you can get out from under that!

Then Jesus comes along, and he has nothing on his back! He never selfishly grabbed the biggest cookie. Never said a mean thing to his brothers. Never tried to hide anything from his parents. Jesus lived a perfect life.

That may be hard for you to imagine. It’s in our human nature to be selfish, proud, and unloving. It’s impossible to be perfect. But Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven, which is what allows us to have a relationship with him and a future life in heaven.

As sinful people, we could never be that way on our own. But Jesus took the blame for us when he died for our sins. He picked up our backpack of sin, so we can be free from that burden.

So, hand over that bag. Tell Jesus you are sorry for your sins and thank him for carrying it. He will show you how to live like him.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Which words from today’s verse stand out to you? Spend some time journaling about why they are meaningful.

PRAY

Jesus, thank you for taking my heavy load of sin. Please help me live like you.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Please read...

Psalm 130:3–4

Isaiah 53:5–6

1 Peter 2:24

1 John 3:4–5