There’s a story of a nine-year-old boy sitting at his desk in school, when all of a sudden there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants is wet. He knows the ridicule that will come from his classmates.

The boy lays his head on his desk and prays. “Dear God. This is an emergency. I need help! Now!” He raises his head to see his teacher coming with a look in her eyes that says he’s been discovered.

As the teacher is coming to snatch him up, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl filled with water. She stumbles and dumps the goldfish bowl in his lap. He quietly prays, “Thank you Jesus.”

Now he is the object of sympathy, and Susie is now ridiculed as clumsy and a klutz. The transfer was made.

We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. First John 2:2 places before us the essence and evidence of eternal life! Jesus is the advocate and atonement. The cross declares wrath is assuaged, forgiveness is offered, holiness is imparted, and love is revealed. Not just for our sins, but for those of all who would turn to Him in repentance and faith.

Just as an innocent lamb in the Old Testament was offered as a sacrifice “on behalf of” the sinner, so Jesus was offered on our behalf. His vicarious death appeased God’s wrath.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Just as Susie took the little boy’s shame and ridicule, Jesus stood as a substitute for you.
2. Jesus went to the cross as if He lived your life, so that God could treat you as if you lived His.