What Christ Taught Us About His Death - (Part 1)

"Christ did not die for any upon condition, if they do believe; but He died for all God’s elect, that they should believe."  - John Owen

We've just finished exploring all of the episodes leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus during the Holy Week. Yet, for many, there is still the lingering question, "Why did Christ die?"

The answer lies in carefully examining what Christ taught us about his death. 19th century Scottish theologian, James Denny, stated, “The last months of our Lord’s life were a deliberate and thrice-repeated attempt to teach His disciples something about His death.”

Below are some of the items that Jesus taught regarding his own death. He talked about:

• a “baptism” He must face (Luke 12:50). This “baptism” that he refers to is his own “death” (Romans 6:3);
• a "lifting up" He must experience in a short amount of time (John 3:14). This was a more civilized way of saying crucifixion;
• a mission, or objective He must accomplish within a short amount of time (Luke 13:33);
• the anticipation of His impending death (John 12:27); 
• of the torment and affliction He must go through (Luke 24:7);
• the surrendering of His own life (John 10:11); 
• a cup from which He must drink (John 18:11). Of which signifies His final sufferings;
• a pouring of His shed blood into a cup (Luke 22:20). “This cup” represented His shed blood that approved and began the New Covenant.
• how God showed His love by sending His Only Son to die for us (John 3:16). In that way, anyone who puts their trust in Him will be saved from sin.
• a compassionate act He would perform (Matthew 20:28). Jesus summons the disciples (and all who are in Christ) to adhere to the same path to greatness, that is, humble, sacrificial service to one another.
• a gift He would impart (John 6:51). The "true bread from heaven" has been sent by God (John 6:32), in the form of a person (John 6:33).
• a work He would finish (John 19:30). That which Jesus was sent to complete – as an atonement for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) – is now brought to a close.

It is only because of our lack of time and space that we can't possibly list, and fairly treat, all of the prophecies discussed by Jesus. We can, however, consider one from the list to further assist us with the question: "Why did Christ die?"

And that is where we will pick up our discussion the next time. I hope that you'll join me then. Until that time, may God bless you always!

Scripture: John 10:30; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3; John 8:24

Prayer: "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."  -John 3:18 (ESV)

Love, peace, and happiness!

Kaitlyn