Moe Bergeron

There’s something deeply freeing about knowing you’ve been rescued—especially when the danger was something you could never escape on your own. At the heart of the gospel is this stunning truth: Christ stepped into our place and bore what we deserved. The curse we were under didn’t just disappear—it was lifted because Jesus carried it.

Galatians 3:13 (NLT): “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’”

Reflection
The law of God is holy, just, and good—but for fallen people, it also revealed our failure. It didn’t create the curse; it exposed it. Galatians 3 shows us the weight of that reality: all who rely on the law are under a curse because none of us can keep it perfectly (Galatians 3:10). That’s where Jesus enters in—not just as a teacher or example, but as a Redeemer.

He didn’t merely sidestep the curse—we’re told He became a curse for us. This isn’t metaphor. This is substitution. Jesus hung on the cross, taking the full weight of divine justice so we could go free. His death fulfilled the ancient warning from Deuteronomy 21:23 about one who is “cursed” when hung on a tree. On that cross, the curse that hovered over humanity fell upon Him.

And what did we receive in return? Redemption. The law condemned, but Christ delivered. We’re no longer under guilt, no longer bound to earn our way to God, no longer enslaved to fear. This is the good news at the core of the gospel—Jesus bore the curse so we could walk in the blessing.

Application
Live today knowing the curse has been lifted. Don’t let condemnation or fear define your walk with God. If you catch yourself slipping into performance-driven faith, pause and remember the cross. You are not trying to earn your place—you’ve been redeemed. Walk in gratitude and rest in the freedom Christ has purchased for you.

References
Romans 8:1 (NLT): “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NLT): “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”

Prayer
Jesus, thank You for taking the curse upon Yourself so I could be free. I confess that I often forget the weight of what You bore for me. Remind me today that my standing with You is not based on my performance, but on Your sacrifice. Help me walk in the peace and joy that flows from redemption. Let my life reflect the freedom You died to give. Amen.