Substitution
I Paul, have written it with my own hand, I will repay it.
Philemon 1:19
Read John 19:23-30
Onesimus owed some kind of debt to Philemon. In all probability he had
discussed this with Paul. In spite of this debt, Philemon would still probably
be willing to receive his former servant back again. But the question
remained: How would Onesimus be able to repay his debt?
Have you ever been confronted with that question? How many sinful acts
have you committed today? How many sinful thoughts and feelings arose in
your heart? What do you desire and long for in life? Were you disrespectful
while the Bible was being read or during prayer? Man stands guilty before
God’s countenance. How will he pay for his guilt?
Paul wrote in his letter to Philemon that he was willing to pay Onesimus’
debt. But Christ did far more; He was willing, from all eternity, to take upon
Himself the sin and guilt of His people. This too has been written in God’s
Word. We read in the Bible that Christ has paid man’s guilt in full. The Saviour
suffered and died; He cried out, It is finished, which meant a full payment
had been made. The Lord Jesus did not pay the price for sin with silver
and gold, but with the price of His own precious blood because He loved the
justice of His heavenly Father. He paid this ransom price also because He
loved his Church with an everlasting love. In eternity past God had worked
out a plan for salvation. Onesimus was undoubtedly surprised when Paul
offered to pay his debt. How much greater is the miracle that Christ was not
only willing, but also has paid for the guilt of all His children.
Thought: We are only truly blessed when we believe that Christ has paid
our debt.
Psalter 230:1,3 (based on Psalm 85)
Lord, Thou hast greatly blessed our land,
Thou hast brought back our captive band,
Thy pardoning grace has made us free
And covered our iniquity.
O will Thy anger never cease,
Forever shall Thy wrath increase?
Revive and quicken us once more,
And Thy salvation’s joy restore.
