Here is Christ being made "sin for us," pictured perfectly in that ancient ritual where sin was transferred to the bullock by the laying on of hands. But notice: this was no light touch. In other places, Scripture uses this same word to mean leaning hard, pressing down with full weight. As the psalmist cried out, "Your wrath lies heavy upon me."

And isn't this exactly what faith is? Faith doesn't just bring us into contact with our great Substitute. Faith teaches us to lean on him—to press down hard with the full weight of our guilt.

Jehovah made all the offenses of his covenant people meet upon Christ's head. But here's the wonder: each one of the chosen is brought personally to ratify this solemn covenant act. By grace, through faith, we lay our own hand on the head of the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.

Believer, do you remember that rapturous day? The day you first realized pardon through Jesus the sin-bearer? Can you join me in this glad confession? "My soul recalls her day of deliverance with delight. Laden with guilt and full of fears, I saw my Savior as my Substitute. I laid my hand upon him—oh, how timidly at first! But courage grew. Confidence was confirmed. Until I leaned my soul entirely upon him. And now it is my unceasing joy to know that my sins are no longer imputed to me but laid on him. Like the good Samaritan with the wounded traveler's debts, Jesus has said of all my future sinfulness: 'Set that to my account.'"

Blessed discovery! Eternal solace of a grateful heart! "My numerous sins transferred to him shall never more be found—lost in his blood's atoning stream, where every crime is drowned!"