#001 He Died On Our Behalf (Isaiah 53:5)
Jesus died for our sins. Paul says that in 1 Corinthians 15:3. Everyone knows that.
BUT! What does that actually mean?
Do you know?
Did Jesus die in sympathy for us? And are we supposed to find comfort in that?
Did Jesus die in solidarity with us? And are we supposed to be grateful for that?
Did Jesus die as a lesson to us? And are we to be impressed by that?
Did Jesus die as a model for us? And are we to imitate him in that?
What does it actually mean that Jesus died for our sins?
There is a phrase I repeat in nearly every sermon I preach. It’s a phrase that opened up the meaning of Jesus’ death for me in a succinct, and satisfying way.
It’s the phrase ‘on our behalf.’
Jesus died on our behalf. That is, instead of us; in our place. Where God owes us death and hell for our sin, Jesus experienced death and hell for us. What we would have suffered during an eternity in hell, Jesus suffered the equivalent in six hours on the cross.
Isaiah puts it like this:
‘He was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.’
Full. Complete. Thorough. Sufficient. Finished.
And for those who believe this and trust that his punishment was for their sin?
Well, there is simply no more punishment left to give. No more wrath left to unleash.
Jesus died on the cross. On our behalf. And we are simply to enjoy being set free by that. Free from the guilt, the power and the consequences on our sin.
BUT! What does that actually mean?
Do you know?
Did Jesus die in sympathy for us? And are we supposed to find comfort in that?
Did Jesus die in solidarity with us? And are we supposed to be grateful for that?
Did Jesus die as a lesson to us? And are we to be impressed by that?
Did Jesus die as a model for us? And are we to imitate him in that?
What does it actually mean that Jesus died for our sins?
There is a phrase I repeat in nearly every sermon I preach. It’s a phrase that opened up the meaning of Jesus’ death for me in a succinct, and satisfying way.
It’s the phrase ‘on our behalf.’
Jesus died on our behalf. That is, instead of us; in our place. Where God owes us death and hell for our sin, Jesus experienced death and hell for us. What we would have suffered during an eternity in hell, Jesus suffered the equivalent in six hours on the cross.
Isaiah puts it like this:
‘He was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.’
Full. Complete. Thorough. Sufficient. Finished.
And for those who believe this and trust that his punishment was for their sin?
Well, there is simply no more punishment left to give. No more wrath left to unleash.
Jesus died on the cross. On our behalf. And we are simply to enjoy being set free by that. Free from the guilt, the power and the consequences on our sin.