Jesus Died for Our Sins
Matthew 26:26-29, 36-39; 27:45-46, 50-54
Death is not a subject most people enjoy thinking or talking about. We obviously don’t like the word because we’ve invented other terms to lessen the impact of what happens: deceased, passed, gone, departed, lost, released and asleep. No one enjoys losing parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings or friends.
But perhaps death is easier to accept when a person’s life had purpose and made an impact. Great inventors whose concoctions benefit humanity for thousands of years, or noted evangelists whose spiritual contributions outlast them by millenniums.
The Cross – and Jesus’ death on it – is the centerpiece of history. It is what Old Testament believers looked forward to and what New Testament Christians reflect on. Jesus’ death on this cruel instrument had purpose and affects all who express faith in His sacrifice.
Jesus’ death results in forgiveness of sins for all who accept His payment. As Jesus shared the last supper with His disciples, He explained how His blood was for this purpose (26:28).
Jesus’ death was intentional and necessary. The Father sent Him with purpose, and He consented to the mission. Jesus was intent on fulfilling the Father’s plan, knowing it would consummate at the cross. It was necessary for humanity’s reconciliation, since our sin created a disconnect between us and a holy God. Only as we trust Him for forgiveness is the payment applied individually.
Jesus’ death fulfilled God’s plan. Though Jesus was God, He took on human nature and flesh when He came to earth. In His humanity, He struggled with obeying God’s plan. Crucifixion wasn’t a pleasant way to die. Add to this that He was paying for the world’s sins, and we can only imagine His agony.
“Sorrowful and troubled” (26:37), “overwhelmed with sorrow” (26:38), and “may this cup be taken from Me” (26:39) give brief glimpses of Jesus’ struggle. Obeying God’s plan isn’t always easy, but He supplies the strength to accomplish what He asks of us. And faithfulness results in spiritual blessings now and rewards in eternity.
Jesus’ death also revealed He was God’s Son. As the centurion and those with him observed how Jesus died, they were convinced He wasn’t just an ordinary man. He was God’s Son (27:54). As the Temple curtain separating the holy of holies was torn in two (27:51), it symbolized how Jesus’ death provided open access to God.
Individual acknowledgement of and consent to Jesus’ death on the cross are insufficient by themselves. They must be coupled with repentance of sin and belief in Jesus’ ability to forgive our sins and make us new creations.
Wiles– Lessons in the BSL series for the spring quarter are being written by Martin Wiles, pastor of First Baptist Church, Harleyville, and author of three books, including the recently published “Grace Greater Than Sin.”