“We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:9-11)
When Jesus Christ died upon the cross at Mount Calvary (or Golgotha), some things were actually ACCOMPLISHED – that is, His death was neither just something that a nice man did to show humans how they ought to live their lives nor was it merely God feeling sorry for the human race. Instead, Jesus’ death really did something! But what did it do? Well, Paul tells us very well in the Romans’ passage above that “Christ died so as to kill death once and for all time!” How ’bout that, dude?!?!?! In this death to end death, Jesus successfully executed thefollowing four things:
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
Jesus’ death was SACRIFICIAL-in other words, Jesus took the place of sinners on that cross as well as standing in the place of sinners on the cross. While there is a wonderful difference between the two, understand that the bottom line is that He was God’s Lamb whose life was given for others.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. . .Therefore He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:14-15, 17)
Jesus’ death was also a PROPITIATION-that is, Jesus took upon Himself God’s punishment (God’s wrath which may be understood as damnation itself [or hell, if you will]) for sin. He bore in His body the penalty for sin for everyone who believes in Him.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10)
Jesus’ death was, too, RECONCILIATION-this means that Jesus Christ was a Mediator between two enemies, God and man; and that as Mediator, He sued for peace between the two so that a coming-together could take place.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. . .” (Ephesians 1:7)
Finally, Jesus’ death accomplished REDEMPTION-that is, He purchased men from the slave-block of sin using His body and blood as the payment. The words He uttered on the cross, the Greek term tetelestai, literally means “paid in full” (it is a word of commerce-i.e., a transaction has taken place in which one party receives something from another party because a price has been paid to that second party).
One of the great errors in Christian teaching today (although it goes back many years) is to say that Jesus accomplished nothing on the cross-i.e., He only made salvation possible. Dude, don’t go there!!! This is to denigrate and defame both He and His agony at Golgotha. Let’s never be guilty of believing or saying such; rather let’s proclaim fully CHRIST’S GREAT WORK OF SAVING SINNERS THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS!
Man of sorrows, what a name, for the Son of God who came; ruined sinners to reclaim, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood; sealed my pardon with His blood, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
Guilty, vile, and shameless we, spotless Lamb of God was He; full atonement can it be, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished,” was His cry; now in heaven exalted high, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
When He comes, our glorious King, all His ransomed home to bring; then anew this song we’ll sing, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
(CrossWind’s evangelists subscribe whole-heartedly and without reservation to the doctrine of “the death of death in the death of Christ.” In fact, on our vests is a small silver skull reminding us of this precious truth. Oh yeah,a very belated “Thanks!” to William Bliss for his timeless hymn.)
Copyright @ 2008 CrossWind Ministry
