Zaleucus and Jesus
"Zaleucus flourished about 500 years B.C. His government over the Locrians was severe but just. In one of his decrees, he forbade the use of wine unless it were prescribed as medicine; and in another, he ordered that all adulterers should be punished with the loss of both their eyes. When his own son had subjected himself to this penalty, the father, in order to maintain the authority of the laws, and to show at the same time a becoming parental lenity, shared the penalty with his son, by causing to be thrust out one of his own eyes and one of the eyes of his offending son. In this way, the majesty of his government was maintained, and his own character as a just and righteous sovereign was magnified in the eyes of his subjects" (The Scheme of Redemption, by Robert Milligan, page 227).
Like Zaleucus, Jesus has endured our punishment in our place. Isaiah wrote: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5 TNIV). Peter quoted this passage in 1 Peter 2:24-25, showing us that it's talking about Jesus.
There is a significant difference between Zaleucus and Jesus, though. Unlike Zaleucus, Jesus didn't endure just half of our punishment. To borrow the words from the song, "He bore it all that I might live!"
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