A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

VICARIOUS ATONEMENT

Matthew 8:17 “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Read Matthew 8:14-17) 

You may not be familiar with the word vicarious. It is not used very often by you or anyone else in normal, everyday speech. However, it is a very important word in regard to God’s plan to save sinners from eternal separation from Him due to their sins. 

The word vicarious means done in place of someone else. Jesus came to earth as a true human being to vicariously, to substitute Himself, in place of sinful human beings. He took upon Himself God’s punishment for your sins in order to reconcile you to your Heavenly Father.   

Atonement means to make amends, to make payment for an injury or wrong committed against another person. Thus, putting the two words together, “vicarious atonement” refers to a substitute making the amends, making the payment for a wrong committed by someone else.   

1 Peter 3:18 says that Jesus, in His death on Calvary’s cross, was “the righteous [suffering] for the unrighteous.” Mark writes in chapter 10 verse 45, Jesus gave “His life as a ransom for many.” Jesus said of Himself, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) “ He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)  

Christ’s vicarious atonement was prophesied by Isaiah, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6) Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross fulfilled this prophesy.   

Through Jesus’ vicarious, saving work the debt of your sins has been paid by Him in full to your heavenly Father. God no longer counts your sins against you who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. St. Paul writes that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Thanks be to God the debt of your sins has been wiped clean by Jesus through the shedding of His blood on Calvary’s cross. 

Prayer: Precious Jesus, thank You for taking my place on Calvary’s cross and for paying the ransom price for my sins. In Your holy name. Amen. 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;  Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed,  Be of sin the double cure: Cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r. 

Not the labors of my hands Can fulfill Thy Law’s demands;  Could my Zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow,  All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. 

Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling.  Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace;  Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die. 

While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyelids close in death,  When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne,  Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.  (LSB 761)