The death of Jesus!
“The Cross of Christ” – John Stott.
Why did Jesus die?
View 1 – an example for us to follow.
1 Peter 2:21, “to this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps”.
View 2 – Because of his love for us
Romans 5:8, “but God demonstrated his own love for us in this whilst we were still sinners Christ died for us”.
View 3 – To be victorious over death and Satan.
Hebrews 2:14, “since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death that is the devil.”
View 4 – A sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 2:2, “He (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not only for ours but for the sins of the whole world”
Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that bought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:12, “Therefore I will give him a portion among the great and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Hebrews 9:26, 28
Jesus as a sacrifice deals with the real problem
Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
Romans 3:23-24, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”
Ephesians 1:7, “In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished upon us with all wisdom and understanding.”
So just what is it the death of Jesus does?
Firstly – freed us from the guilt
Secondly – he saves us from the penalty
Thirdly – frees us from power
Col 2:13-15. “When you were dead in your sin and the uncircumcision of your sinful nature God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins having cancelled the written code with all its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”.
The truth worth dying for = Our redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin comes only through the sacrificial death, as our representative and substitute, of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
A small but vital word
“only”.
The difference it makes
Firstly, be thankful.
Secondly, Trust only Jesus.
Thirdly, You can have assurance of eternal life.
Fourthly, free to serve God in obedience.
Finally, it makes us responsible to others.