I’ve never been so innocent and felt so guilty.

It was a quick run to the local grocery store to pick up a few odds-and-ends.  I pushed a mini-grocery cart to toss the items in as I grabbed them.  Lying on the bottom of the main compartment of that cart was a store flier advertising this week’s deals – left behind by a previous shopper.  A common occurrence.  Nothing to even think about.

I gathered the things I needed, went through the self-checker, bagged the items, and began rolling the cart out of the store.  That’s when a nice young man who worked for the store stopped me, pointed in the cart and asked, “Is that yours?”

I thought he was referring to the stray flier, so I replied, “No.”  But apparently he was referring to the small block of cheese that had somehow slide under the flier … and had clearly not been paid for. 

I was mortified.  Everything seemed to indicate that I was guilty of trying to sneak out with some extra cheese … without paying any “cheese” for it!

Hopefully my shocked expression convinced the young man I was innocent of thievery.  That, and the fact that the cheese cost less than 3 dollars.  (I had much more valuable items than that in my grocery sack.)  But I suppose they see all kinds of people trying to sneak out with items of all different price values. 

I don’t know what his conclusions about me were, but he was certainly nice enough.  Even though it was truly an innocent mistake, at the moment I felt anything but innocent.

Perhaps something similar has happened to you?  Or maybe someone at some time has drawn false conclusions about you, assuming the worst, when in fact your words, actions or intentions were honorable and good?

It doesn’t feel good to be in those situations.  The stomach churns and the mind reels.  And maybe even the conscience is tweaked … despite your innocence?

Afterwards, my thoughts went to Jesus.  He was the literal embodiment of innocence appearing guilty.  The holy Savior hung on a Roman cross … a death reserved for only the worst of criminals … on open display for all to see and to draw their own conclusions. 

My little situation was nothing.  Though I appeared guilty, I was innocent.  And I suffered no consequences.  

But the sinless Son of God bore the guilt of the sin of the world!  Though also innocent, he endured incomprehensible consequences for something he wasn’t responsible for in the least.

The Lord describes Jesus’ substitutionary atonement in these simple but striking words of the prophet Isaiah:

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Paul summarizes this wonderful truth in this way: “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).

What Jesus endured for you and me was nothing short of astonishing.  It’s almost unbelievable that the perfect God himself would do such a thing for sinners like us.  And indeed, many do reject the concept because, “It’s simply too good to be true.” 

They are right in that it is “simply too good.”  They are wrong that it isn’t “true!”  Praise God that Jesus took our place!  And praise God that we believe this almost unbelievable truth!

When I was “busted,” I felt terrible, even though my “crime” was completely unintentional.  What did our Savior feel as he, in his holiness, endured the penalty for a world of sinners?  Guilt?  Shame?  Embarrassment?  Anger?

No!  He felt joy! 

This is also astonishing, but it is also true.  The Scriptures tell us so!  The writer to the Hebrews reveals, “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame …” (Hebrews 12:2).

Why was Jesus joyful?  Because he was accomplishing his Father’s will.  Because he was doing what only he could do.  Because he was redeeming sinners whom he loved.  Because countless people would now experience an eternity of salvation with him.

He who was innocent was counted as guilty so we who are guilty would be counted by God as innocent.  What a wonderful Savior we have!  What a wonderful salvation we have waiting for us!