Weigh this great fact: What was it that brought the precious Savior to the cross? What brought Him down to the dust of death? Was it not our offenses? Truly so. He “was delivered up because of our offenses.” He was nailed to the cursed tree for us. He represented us on the cross. He was our Substitute, in all the full value and deep significance of that word. He took our place and was treated, in every respect, as we deserved to be treated. The hand of infinite justice dealt with our sins, all our sins, at the cross. Jesus made Himself responsible for all our offenses, our iniquities, our transgressions, our liabilities, all that was or ever could be against us. He, blessed be His peerless and adorable name, made Himself answerable for all and died in our stead, under the full weight of our sins. He died, the just for the unjust.

Where is He now? The heart bounds with ineffable joy and holy triumph at the thought of the answer. Where is the blessed One who hung on yonder cross, and lay in yonder tomb? He is at the right hand of God, crowned with glory and honor. Who set Him there? Who put the crown upon His blessed brow? God Himself. The One who gave Him, and the One who bruised Him, is the One who raised Him, and it is in Him we are to believe if we are to be counted righteous. This is the special point before the apostle’s mind. Righteousness shall be imputed to us if we believe on God as the One who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.