By Mallory Mattingly
Atlanta Falcons running back Nathan Carter is back with another faith-filled social media post, this time talking about how and why Jesus became our “scapegoat.”
“Today, we use the term ‘scapegoat’ for someone unfairly blamed for another’s wrongdoing,” Carter began on Instagram. “For the Israelites, this idea had a literal meaning on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). The high priest first offered a bull to atone for his own sins and those of his household, then two goats were chosen by lot: one was sacrificed ‘for the Lord,’ and the other, the scapegoat, called ‘Azazel,’ had the nations sins confessed over it and was sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away their guilt and shame.”
“I can only imagine the awe of a nation watching its sins being carried off,” the athlete continued. “The joy of knowing their guilt, shame, and wrongdoing had been transferred to the goat must have been overwhelming; they no longer had to bear it themselves. Yet there was a humbling truth: sin would continue. Over the course of the year, sin would accumulate again, and the ritual would need to be repeated. Another scapegoat would be chosen the following year. It wasn’t that the goats failed; they were never intended to be the final fulfillment of atonement.”
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But God had a plan: Jesus Christ.
“When Christ came, He became our complete atonement, not just for a nation, but for the entire world,” Carter wrote. “He became our ultimate scapegoat. Symbolically, we place our sins upon Him as He suffered the punishment we deserved.”
Carter then quoted 2 Corinthians 5:21, which reads, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
He also included Isaiah 53:5: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
“It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, that we are forgiven,” the running back shared. “His blood was shed on the cross to redeem us and wash us whiter than snow. Not animals, not rituals, not other leaders…only Jesus.”
“Jesus is our perfect, final scapegoat. Through Him, our sins past, present, and future are carried away, and we are made right with God,” Carter emphasized.
Cater often shares convicting yet comforting reminders on social media.
“If the world discourages you, I understand. The good news is that there is hope,” he posted in September. “Instead of dwelling on what’s broken, we can turn our eyes toward the source of restoration. Specifically, someone greater: Jesus.”
If your sin is weighing you down, turn to Jesus and accept Him as your scapegoat. Then you will experience freedom and be made right with God, as Carter said.
The Falcons face off against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. ET.
Read Next: Falcons’ Nathan Carter Invites Fans to ‘Come and See’ the Goodness of Jesus
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