the note that was taken from me

A criminal in the Greco-Roman world was issued, as a record of debt, a written note of indebtedness. When the crime warranted death, that note was fastened to the cross by the Roman authorities, declaring the crime for which the criminal was being executed.

Colossians 2:13-14 takes on fresh meaning in this light:

"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

The soldiers who crucified Jesus fastened His accusation on His cross: "King of the Jews." Guilty of being the One True God.

The Father who allowed Jesus to be crucified fastened my accusation on His cross: "Proud, self-righteous rebel. Critical, judgmental, unfaithful idolator. Slothful skimper. Hypocritical, self-centered, egotistical user of people. Ungrateful, cowardly, sensual manipulator. Deserving of death by cruel torture." Guilty of cosmically offending and defaming the One True God.

Jesus forfeited His identity and took on mine at the exact moment that the wrath of God was coming for me. He absorbed it all, and in the sweet exchange of grace, His identity was offered to me. The One who had not sinned had become sin on my behalf, so that I might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

"Because a sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me"

~Before The Throne