God Became Like Us So That We Didn’t Have to Become Like Him

From the very beginning, humanity has struggled with sin, falling short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23). God’s law is holy and just, but we, in our sinful nature, could never fully keep it. Instead of leaving us in our hopeless state, God provided a way, not by demanding that we reach His level of perfection, but by humbling Himself to take our place.

This is what makes Christianity unique among all religions: every other belief system calls people to work their way up to God, but in Christ, God came down to us. He did what we could never do—He lived a perfect, sinless life and paid our debt so that we wouldn’t have to suffer eternal separation from Him.

Jesus Walked Among the “Pigs”

The imagery of Jesus walking among the "pigs" reminds us of how He willingly entered the filth of human sin and brokenness. Philippians 2:6-8 describes this humility:

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"

Jesus didn't come as a mighty king but as a lowly servant. He ate with sinners, touched lepers, and allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, and crucified. The very hands that shaped the universe were pierced for our transgressions.

God Understands Human Pain

One of the most profound truths of Christianity is that God is not distant from our suffering—He has felt it Himself. Unlike false gods who are indifferent or uninvolved, Jesus personally experienced:

Betrayal – Judas, one of His own disciples, sold Him for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).

Rejection – His own people, the ones He came to save, called for His crucifixion (John 19:6).

Loss – Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus, showing His deep compassion (John 11:35).

 Pain and Humiliation – He was stripped, beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross, taking on the shame that should have been ours (Isaiah 53:3-5).

Perhaps most profoundly, Jesus even knew what it felt like to be abandoned by God—when He cried out on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). In that moment, He bore the full weight of our sin and the separation from the Father that we deserved.

Why Did He Do It?

As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Jesus didn’t just die for us—He became sin for us. He took on the punishment we rightfully deserved.

In exchange, He gave us His righteousness. When God looks at us, He no longer sees our failures—He sees the perfect righteousness of Christ.

This is the beauty of salvation: we didn’t earn it, and we never could. It is a gift, freely given out of love.

The Final Victory

Jesus’ death wasn’t the end—He rose again, proving that sin and death had been defeated (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Because of His resurrection, we have the promise of eternal life. We are no longer condemned, no longer bound by our past. We are made new in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Conclusion: Love Beyond Comprehension

God didn’t have to do any of this. He could have left us to suffer the consequences of our sin. But His love was too great.

He became human, endured suffering, and took our punishment so that we could be reconciled to Him. Now, through Christ, we can stand before God not as condemned sinners, but as beloved children.

That’s the Gospel. That’s grace. That’s the love of God.

Joe