When Jesus came as our covenant representative, He wasn't just living for us, He was living as us. Because we are IN CHRIST, whatever happens to Him happens to us. He died, we died to sin. He was buried, we were buried. He was raised to newness of life. We are now in that same position of receiving newness of life ... God is no longer dealing with us based on our performance. He's dealing with us based on Jesus' performance.