What Christ Taught Us About His Death - (Part 2)

"It was to save sinners that Christ Jesus came into the world. He did not come to help them to save themselves, nor to induce them to save themselves, nor even to enable them to save themselves. He came to save them!"  - William Hendricksen

In our last discussion, "Why did Christ die?" we examined some of the prophecies that Jesus taught regarding his own death. This time, we'll concentrate on the purpose for His time here on earth. 

To start with, according to Christ's teachings, His death was "divine in its provision," or its ability to supply us with all we need at His right time. Let's investigate this a little further.

Two important, yet simple, definitions related to God are, “God is Light,” and “God is Love.” Both facts radiate brightly from the Cross. Since “God is Light,” He can't ignore sin nor allow it to go unpunished.

That "God is Love," means that He gives us what He requires in the sacrifice of Christ. I feel that a closer inspection of the two is needed here. “God is Light” and His assertions, or claims, must be met in an expiation, or atonement for sin.

Sin demanded punishment. But as sinners, we could never atone for our sin. That atonement was provided by Jesus Himself. Christ’s death was expiatory in its sacrifice, or offering. He became the "perfect" sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:12).

Thus, Christ has provided to God a satisfaction, if you will, for sin that we could never give on our own (Luke 18:13). Moving on to "God is Love," Jesus expounded that His death was the triumphant conclusion of God's declared love.

This was expressed by Jesus when he said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16). Paul also mentions, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8-9).

Notice in both, it is "God" who demonstrates his love toward us by sending his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Ultimately, Jesus is what satisfies the justice of God (1 John 2:2).

We have seen that when both, God and Christ expressed their love for us, God offered His Son, and Jesus sacrificed himself. Jesus himself said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13).

In this respect, lies the extraordinary love of Jesus Christ. He unselfishly gave his life for enemies and sinners alike. No one forced Jesus to do anything. He volunteered to suffer. Yet, God is glorified and we are  their heirs by that mighty death forever (Romans 8:17).

Scripture: Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21 

Prayer: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,"  - Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)

Love, peace, and happiness!

Kaitlyn