“Though healthy, Jesus took our disease upon himself. Though diseased, we who accept his offer are pronounced healthy. . . . This is no transplant, mind you, but a swap. The holy and vile exchange locations. God makes healthy what was sick, right what was wrong, straight what was crooked.”- Max Lucado
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
In Chapter 6 (“The Heart He Offers”) of 3:16 – The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado talks about the time a cardiologist diagnosed him with an irregular heartbeat. And the doctor assured Max this cardiac concern ranked as the best kind. But, Pastor Lucado quips, that’s like telling a paratrooper that his parachute defect isn’t the worst type.
Therefore, Max underscores, he prefers the treatment of Jesus, the Great Physician. Jesus offers to exchange His sturdy heart for your frail heart. Hence, Pastor Lucado continues:
“Contrast your heart with Christ’s. When you list the claims that qualify him as either crazy or kingly, don’t omit this one: he asserted to have the only sinless heart in all of history. . . . Peter, who walked in Jesus’ shadow for three years, recorded: ‘He never did one thing wrong, not once said anything amiss’ (1 Peter 2:22 MSG).”
In addition, Max notes, he experienced a similar standard when he met golf legend Byron Nelson. Max bragged to a friend about breaking a hundred on the golf course for the first time. Until that friend told him about Nelson’s accomplishments:
- five major titles
- eleven consecutive victories
- an average score of sixty-nine during the streak
As a result, Max’s score of ninety-eight seemed suddenly insignificant. Just as Mr. Nelson’s standard silenced Max, Jesus’ perfection silences us.
In conclusion, Pastor Lucado stresses, Jesus claims the frail, preserves the weak, and secures the weary. So, scarred and journey-hardened, we come.
Today’s question: What does it mean to you that Jesus offers no transplant, but a swap? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The welcome mat of heaven”
