I read about a man who wanted to switch roles with his wife because he was tired of working - waking up in the morning, dressing up, rushing to work and coming back home late at night. He always came home to a quiet, clean house, the table dressed with his dinner waiting for him and his wife and two children looking sweet and cheerful. So he began to think, I put in so much effort and hard work and all my wife does is to stay at home and enjoy the pleasures of my sweat; a sweet-smelling, cozy home, nice things to eat, beautiful clothes… So he decided to switch roles. He advised his wife to get a job, and he would rather look after the children and take care of the home. The first day his wife resumed work, this man couldn’t cope with the house chores or the demands of the children! No doubt his house was in a state! Eventually he pleaded with his wife to resume her role as home manager.
Switching roles can be tough. As a matter of fact, you must consider the cost and the motive before you venture into it. Jesus did something similar in order to gain the world. He took our place that we might take His. He switched roles with us and became ‘sin’ (the sin sacrifice) that we might become the righteousness of God. The good news is that He took our place as servants that we might take His place as sons and daughters. This change of role is not associated with regrets, because He loved us. He conquered sin and removed our defeat and gave us victory instead. Jesus did not become our substitute for selfish motives, He was motivated by love. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). That’s what Jesus did for us; He took our place and died for us. Aren’t you glad Jesus was willing to switch roles with you?
