When we sinned, we broke a law. As lawbreakers we incurred punishments for our sins and liability for the damages due to our sins. In sin, we are held under a seemingly unpayable bond with countless claims standing against us. Jesus saved us by pardoning all our sins. To do this, He had to cancel the bond and its claims by "snatching it up and nailing it to the cross" (Col 2:14). When Jesus died on the cross, our sins and their effects also died. He snatched up our sins, bond, and claims by "becoming a curse for us, as it is written: 'Accursed is anyone who is hanged on a tree' " (Gal 3:13).

Jesus snatched up our sins by being "stricken," "smitten," "afflicted," "pierced," and "crushed" for our sins (Is 53:4-5). "The Lord laid upon Him the guilt of us all" (Is 53:6). Jesus was "harshly treated," "oppressed and condemned" (Is 53:7, 8). "He was spurned and avoided by men, a Man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, One of those from Whom men hide their faces" (Is 53:3). "The Lord was pleased to crush Him in infirmity" (Is 53:10).

In this way, Jesus snatched up our sins and their effects. That's what it cost Jesus to forgive us and save us. Thank You, Jesus! I give my life to You.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 1, 2011

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