Did Jesus become a vile sinner on the cross when He took our sins?
No. Scripture says He became sin for us, but He did not become a sinner per se. He took the sinner's place as the substitute, bearing all the sins of the human race without becoming a sinner, remaining "yet without sin."
Les teaches that II Corinthians chapter 5 says Christ became sin for us—He who knew no sin—so that we might have the righteousness of Christ in Him. But He did not become a sinner per se; He took the sinner's place. He became our substitute, much like the ram God provided in the thicket when Abraham was about to offer Isaac. The ram did not become Isaac, but became the substitute. In the same way, when Christ went to the cross, He did not become a vile sinner, but He took upon Himself all the sins of the human race without becoming a sinner, and Scripture says "yet without sin." This is beyond human comprehension. It was His substitutionary work: where you and I should have died, He took our place. He did not become some other person; He merely became our substitute. Les notes Paul refers to this in Philippians chapter 2 as well as Galatians.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
More Questions
Did Jesus actually become a sinner when 2 Corinthians 5:21 says He became sin for us?
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, when it says Christ became sin for us, it does not mean He became a sinner per se—He took the sinner's place and became our substitute.