SUBSTITUTION

A DIVINE EXCHANGE

John 11:47–51 “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;”

In soccer, sometimes a player has to sub out due to injury. The substitute must wear the same uniform for continuity and spirit. Jesus came to wear our humanity; He stepped in as our substitute so we wouldn’t have to pay the penalty for our mistakes. He’s still wearing the jersey of grace, inviting us to take part in the game of life together!

There is not a ray of hope for man outside of substitution.

Dwight Lyman Moody (Evangelist)

LAW OF SUBSTITUTION

ASSESSMENT OF MAN : in order for a substitution to take place the original starter must be assessed and deemed unfit to continue, in this case man was assessed by God

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Without a substitution man cannot please a HOLY God

2) AVAILABILITY OF A SUBSTITUTE: in order for a substitution to take place there must be a legit substitute identified and prepared , on team man there is no one in the team that is fit to play thus God made himself available to step in the place of man.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

3) ABIDE BY THE RULES: after a substitute is identified the substitute must be recognised by the officials as a legitemate part of the competition he must abide by the same rules

Hebrews 10:1–5 “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:”

4) ACCEPTANCE BY THE SUBSTITUTE: The substitute must be WILLING to participate

John 18:4–14 “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away…..

John 18:33–34 “Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?”

John 18:36 “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

John 18:37 “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

John 18:40 “Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.”

ACKWOLEDGEMENT THAT YOU NEED A SUBSTITUTE

Genesis 27:15–27 “And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck: And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob. And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me. And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not. And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. And he…”