My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (Col 2:14.)
Jesus has obliterated the “handwriting of requirements’, the Law of Moses. The Law “that was against us,” was against man’s peace, joy, and comfort. The religious leaders of the day prided themselves in their strict adherence to and observance of the written and oral traditions of the Law of Moses. They demanded outward constraints on the people, concerned more with the appearance of righteousness than being righteous with a righteousness that flows from the heart. These spiritually proud, legal experts had reduced religion to a series of ceremonial and traditional laws based on their own interpretation and tradition. Jesus’ message of grace was considered criminal; therefore, He was subjected to unspeakable pain, humiliation, and suffering. An ancient practice indicates that a debt has been paid by nailing a handwritten bond to a post. Banks would pierce the note with a knife or other sharp instrument. More recently, a hole punch is used. Jesus destroyed the requirements of the Law, “touch not; taste not; handle not” (vv. 20-21), nailing them to the cross. The religious leaders did not realize that when they nailed, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’ to the cross, they were indicating that the debt of the Law of Moses was canceled; the curse of the Law was abolished, Jesus set the people free. The despicable cross became the symbol of infinite love. The 3 nails that held Jesus on the cross, did more than hold Jesus to the cross. They nailed down the faithfulness of God, they closed the door of Judaism, they nailed Christ to His church, and they nailed down the love of God.
The power of the cross has set us free from sin. We are not constrained externally, but our hearts are freed to live a life well-pleasing to God. We can withstand difficult times or even persecution. We can trust that He is directing the circumstances of our life. The debt we owe to God is paid for by the blood of His Son, nailed on the cross. He has wiped out that which hinders our soul and restrains the spirit of true faith in our lives.
Are you, like the religious leaders of the day, demanding outward constraints on yourself and others? Look to Jesus’ nail-pierced hands, open wide to welcome you; to cancel your debt of sin. His feet, fastened to the cross for you. Lift your eyes to your Savior and say, “My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”