“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
>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<
The NBA — and indeed the entire United States sports world — was rocked at the trade deadline by a blockbuster deal that sent superstar Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for fellow superstar Anthony Davis. It was one of the biggest trades in the history of the league.
And although the NBA landscape looks dramatically different now than it did to start the season, eventually both teams settled into their “new normal” and the shock of the trade wore off for fans. It always happens this way, no matter how attention-grabbing the trade initially was.
However, a trade with ripple effects for all of eternity took place on a Roman cross in 33 A.D. I’m of course talking about the crucifixion of Jesus, and the work He accomplished to restore His children permanently to a right relationship with the Father. He did this through the greatest trade in history.
The second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, came to earth and took on human flesh, succeeding where we failed. He lived a life of perfect righteousness — He never sinned. You and I and everybody else, on the other hand, were born with a sinful nature and can’t be perfect on our own. But because Jesus is full of compassion for us, and because He loves us so much, He voluntarily executed the greatest trade in human history: our sin for His righteousness. He suffered the penalty for sin, which is death, in our place. Meanwhile, we can enjoy a relationship with the Father because when He looks on us, He sees Christ’s righteousness. What an incredible exchange!
With trades in the NBA, people often ask, “Who won the trade?” So who won the greatest trade, the trade of your sin for Christ’s perfect righteousness? You did, if you are in Him, and I did too. And so did all those around the world and throughout time who’ve believed and trusted in the name of Jesus for their eternal salvation.
— Kevin Mercer
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him <<
>> Dive more into God’s Word with Sports Spectrum through the YouVersion Bible App <<
If you would like to submit a devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com
