What did Christ become on our behalf?
On our behalf, Christ became sin—He who knew no sin was made sin for us. He was hung on a tree, and the crucifixion was a curse, for God laid on Him the sins of the whole human race.
Les teaches that Peter was bringing the Deuteronomy 5 picture of a rebellious son to the nation of Israel, showing that they had treated their Christ as a rebellious, drunkard, wicked son—they killed Him and hung Him on a tree. But in actuality, He became that on our behalf; He who knew no sin became sin for us. Les points out that the crucifixion was awful, not beautiful, despite our glamorizing it with golden crosses. It was a curse, because God laid on Him the sins of the whole human race.