Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

           Text: Galatians 3:10-13

 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus:

 The horrifying cross. Of all the instruments of torture and death which have been used throughout history, the most terrifying and humiliating is the cross. And yet, you and I see crosses all around us. The symbol of the cross has been placed on the outside of this church and on its bell tower. The cross occupies the central position in our chancel and in our worship. But we also wear crosses on chains around our necks and use them as jewelry. What a dreadful thing it is – to use the cross and exalt it as the greatest of all Christian symbols. What a terrible thing it is – to make the sign of the cross, a horrible instrument of death, in dismissing a Christian congregation at the end of a worship service.

 The cross is so terrifying because its very intention was to prolong the hours of suffering and agony for its victim. Furthermore, the suffering of one upon the cross was useless. The instruments of torture that were used in the Middle Ages up to those that are being used today – have been created to serve some purpose. This purpose was to receive confessions from reluctant witnesses. But the cross was intended for nothing more than the pleasure of those who enjoyed seeing others suffer the agony of pain and a torture-filled death. Yet, in Jesus Christ, this horrible instrument of death has become the greatest symbol of Christian faith, hope, and life. This, then, is the story of Good Friday – for it shows us the Savior, who suffered the curse of the cross for us.

 You and I can understand the curse of crucifixion, the horror of death upon a cross. But it’s more difficult for us to understand that which St. Paul in the text refers to as “the curse of the law”, from which Christ has redeemed us. Indeed, when the apostle Paul writes – “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse”, he speaks of something so new and different that no human being can comprehend such a thing. For the law is popular; everyone is in favor of it. In fact, one of the points upon which the world’s religion are agreed is that God is the great Law-Giver, that God has set standards of moral conduct by which people ought to live.

 The validity of that law cannot be questioned. Even a murderer awaiting the death sentence doesn’t question the law. He may say that he didn’t commit the murder or argue that there were circumstances behind the crime for which he shouldn’t be held responsible – but it never occurs to the murderer to say that the law which declares,

“Thou shalt not kill”, is a mistake, or that it’s normal and right for one person to kill another. Even the lawbreaker sees the law as being valid.

           Moreover, people enjoy the law. The religion that consists of obeying laws and fulfilling requirements is popular, because it flatters people, and gives them a sense of achievement. The Jews loved their religion, which was based upon the law, because when they had observed the regulations and fulfilled their obligations, they could say that they stood in a right relationship with their God. And many today enjoy the religion of law. They don’t need church or a knowledge of God. They live according to the law. They are kind to their neighbors. They do good and act respectably. And when they have done all this, they can declare – “I’ve done what God expects of me.” The law flatters them – and so it’s natural that people love the law.

 But St. Paul writes – “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’” What is the apostle Paul saying? To agree with the law and to hear it – is not enough. To admire the law’s principles and its wonderful ideals is not enough either. For the law wasn’t given only to be heard and admired – it was given to be obeyed! The law requires that we keep it at all times, not only when it’s convenient to do so.

                         But how much of the law must we keep? St. Paul quotes from the Book of

Deuteronomy – “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” This law gives you no way of escape. At times you may try to ease the burden of the law by revising it, by picking out those commandments that you find easy to obey and by ignoring the rest. “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Continual obedience is required of you. Every law is in full force all of the time. Perfection is what God is. Perfection is what He demands.

 And in this lies the curse. Since you are under the law, you are also under its curse. “Clearly no one is justified before God by the law.” In your own mind you may be justified – for as you look at yourselves, you see only what you want to see. In the eyes of your relatives and friends you may be justified, for they see you at your best. And at some time in the future, many will stand before your coffins, saying – “He or she was such a good person.” But those opinions will mean nothing before God – for He is your Lord and your Judge.

 This means that we, thinking ourselves to be decent, respectable people because we obey the law and live good lives – are sadly mistaken. For as you claim respectability because of your obedience to the law, you fall under its curse. We are cursed already in this life – for it’s a life of ambitions never gained, peace and happiness beyond our reach, contentment never experienced, joy never complete, and security and hope unknown and filled with uncertainty. And we are cursed in death, for death itself is proof of our failure to keep the law. The fact that you must die is an indication that you cannot stand before God’s judgment.

 We have been cursed before the God who gave His law to be obeyed and He enforces this curse with eternal punishment. There is no escape. We can try getting away from it all. We can try to find the easiest and most comfortable way of life possible. And yet, the law stands inflexible and condemns us. “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the law.’”

 This is what God saw as He looked down upon a ruined and fallen world, as He looked down on each of us. This is what God’s justice hated. Therefore, to redeem us from the curse of the law, a curse of our own making, God sent His Son into the world to be our Redeemer. The cross, that death of pain and shame, of hanging helplessly exposed to the stares and hatred of those watching, publicly seen as judged and condemned – waiting for death, is a terrible thing. But in this case, the curse greatly increased – for the curse fell on Jesus Christ, the holy, innocent Son of God.

 This is what we see on Good Friday. We see Jesus hanging in pain and agony. And it ought to terrify you when you realize that He alone was innocent, He alone was free from the curse of the law. Jesus was born under the law, yet He fulfilled it perfectly. He loved His heavenly Father, and He loved those who lived in this world. It ought to terrify you when you realize that this curse had to be placed on the sinless Son of God – on account of your sins. We take sin too lightly. We think that it shouldn’t matter. Some of us might think that God should overlook or tolerate our shortcomings and sins. 

But then look at the cross – for the cross shows you that God can’t tolerate sin. Every sin must be paid for. Every rebellious heart must be redeemed.

 The cross is the price. This is the cost of your redemption. God sent His Son into the world to become your Ransom – by way of death. You may think that you can get away with disobedience; and at times, it may appear that you have. But then look at the cross – and if you can’t see the hell that waited for you, see the torture, the hell that

your sins put Jesus through. He endured the shame, the pain, the hatred, the separation from God, and the agony of dying – for you. And the curse of the law becomes very real for us in that cross.

 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” This is the blessing you receive. He took your place. He died for you. The curse was placed on Christ, because God didn’t want it to fall on us. We caused this curse, yet Jesus suffered for it. This was quite a price! Just look at the choice that God made. He loves you so much that He placed the curse of the law upon His Son, on your behalf.

 The burden of your guilt has been removed. The debt has been paid. You have been pardoned. Instead of living in fear under the anger of God, you can live in the power of His love. For you are no longer under the curse of the law, but under grace. You are no longer slaves to sin, but are the people of God’s promises. For you and I live under the cross. In humility, we can stand before our heavenly Father, and experience His love and forgiveness. For God’s blessings are ours forever – in that cross.

 Christ’s cross, as horrifying as it is, is the center of our faith, the most meaningful symbol of all we believe. If you think that God’s will for your life is something that can’t be trusted – look to the cross, and you will see the greatness of God’s love for you. And if you think that God is asking too much of you – look to the cross and realize that God asks so little in comparison to what He gave. Look to the cross and see how Jesus Christ bore the curse of the law, how He died the death that we really deserved.

 St. Paul writes – “The righteous will live by faith.” To know the power of the cross in your own lives – this is faith! And in it, your lives become filled with new purpose and direction – for Christ has won the victory for you. Eternal life, the hope of heaven – is yours! Therefore, the life that you live, you live by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave His life for you. So, look to the cross of Jesus Christ. See it as it really is – a terrifying, shameful, horrifying thing. And yet, by the grace of God, a thing of beauty, filled with God’s love for you. And may the power of the cross of Christ enable you to live lives of faith here on earth, so that you might share in the blessings of our

God forevermore. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.

Authored by Reverend Carl Trosien.