Christology The Death of Christ

The cross looms large across the landscape of history The cross looms large across the landscape of history. In some ways it is very much the pivot point that gives meaning to the past, the present, and the future.

While it is somewhat edifying to spend time ruminating about the horrors of the suffering of Christ from the point of the Garden of Gethsemane until He voluntarily gave up the ghost (John 19:30), Scripture does not place that emphasis. The emphasis of the New Testament is more upon the effect than upon the process. At the same time, we cannot read of the agonies of Calvary without being humbled and rendered grateful.

Forethought or Afterthought The Old Testament prophecies of the death of Christ leave no doubt as to plan of God. One of the most graphic and detailed of these is found in Psa. 22. Isa. 53 is a monument of prophecy to the agony of Calvary. Daniel foretold that Messiah would be cut off (Dan. 9:26); Zechariah prophesied that Jesus would be sold for thirty pieces of silver which would then be the price of the potter’s field (Zec. 11:12,13). The shepherd would be smitten (Zec. 13:7).

Peter plainly stated at Pentecost that this work though cruelly wrought by the hands of men was at the same time the deliberate plan of God. (Acts 2:23) Redemption through the cross has always been the plan of God even before the fall of man and creation itself. (1 Cor. 2:6-8; Rev. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:18-20)

Accident or Necessity Paul affirmed the death of Christ to be an integral part of the gospel message. (1 Cor. 15:1-4) Why did Jesus die? The death of Christ was very necessary, not just to fulfill Old Testament prophecies, but satisfy the justice of God. The problem for those who do not understand the necessity of the cross is that they do not appreciate the character of God. His absolute holiness demands that sin be judged. (Hab. 1:12,13)

Because God is holy and man is a sinner, someone must experience the wrath of God upon sin. Jesus Christ is God’s merciful provision for that purpose. Jesus died for sinners. (Rom. 5:6-8; 1 Pet. 3:18) Not only must Christ have died; He must have died in the way He did, shedding His blood on the Cross.

The Atonement Necessitated: His death – Rom. 5:10; Phi. 2:8; Heb. 2:9-14; 9:16; Rev. 5:6,9,12. His cross – 1 Cor. 1:23; Gal. 3:1; 6;12; Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20. His blood – Mat. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Col. 1:14; 1 John 1:7; Heb. 9:12, 15; Rev. 1:5; 5:9

Coerced or Voluntary The death of Christ was not simply the work of men. It was the voluntary surrender of Christ! (John 10:11-18) Neither was Calvary a surprise to Jesus (Luke 9:28-30; John 12:23-27)

Exemplary or Vicarious To suggest that Christ died as a martyr only is to miss the entire point of the message of Scripture. Christ died as a substitution for the guilty. His death was vicarious or literally in our place. This truth is so important that it is reiterated throughout the Word of God. It was the principle which underlay the entire sacrificial system of the Old Testament. (Isa. 53;5,6; 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:8; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; John 10:11; 1 Cor. 5:7)

Significance of the Vicarious Atonement PERSONAL ATONEMENT VICARIOUS ATONEMENT Provided by the offending party Provided by the offended party A matter of strict justice A combination of justice and love Never finished A completed sacrifice

Influential or Victorious As the Old Testament Jew offered the required sacrifices in general and the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement in particular he pointed forward to the sacrifice of Christ. The power of the cross exceeds human capacity to respond. There are also ample passages that plainly state that the efficacy of the atonement is sufficient for the whole world. (John 6:51; Rom. 8:32; 1 Tim. 4:10; John 1:29; 2 Tim. 2:4-6; Tit. 2:11; 2 Pet. 2:1; 3:9; 1 John 2:2)

The Atonement Accomplished our: Reconciliation – Mankind is estranged from God because of sin, in fact man in his natural state is the enemy of God. The death of Christ removed the distance having satisfied the justice of God. (Rom. 5:10,11; 2 Cor. 5:18,19 Eph. 2:14-19; Col. 1;20,21) Redemption – Unsaved man is in bondage to sin Man cannot release himself; he must be redeemed (which means to buy back) and ransomed which places the emphasis upon the price paid. (Luke 2:36-38; rom. 3:24; 1 Cor. 1;30; Col. 1:14; Mat. 20:28; Col. 3:13)

Propitiation – Propitiation refers to the complete satisfaction of God so that God is now kindly disposed to all who are under the blood. (Rom. 3:25,26; 1 John 4:9,10) Forgiveness – Sin is not only atoned; it is removed. Forgiveness is complete in Christ. (Col. 2:13,14)

The death of Christ made everything possible that attends the Christian life, even providing the model for surrender to God’s work and will. (Phi. 3:8-10)