If the battle against evil in any way depended on us, we would be destined for defeat. That’s why the heart of the Christian message is not about empowerment or encouragement. It’s about substitution. In the battle against our greatest enemies, we are spectators rather than participants. On Good Friday we see Jesus go head to head with the law—both in its demands and its threats. The law demands full, constant obedience and threatens with death all who fall short. Jesus came both to fulfill the law’s demands and endure its curse. Because he did, salvation is a free gift to all through faith.