Jerusalem – If you have been following these reports, then you have read about the rabbi Jesus of Nazareth. You know of his teachings and of the many things he did. You know how he walked into Jerusalem, knowing that he was walking to his death. You have read about how, during Passover, he was betrayed by his people and handed over to the pagans to be crucified. You know that in the dark he died all alone, and that three days later he was seen alive and stood in the midst of his disciples. And you have read of how he was with the disciples for forty more days and then was taken from them up into heaven. When he began his teaching he said, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15)" But where is the good news in all this?
One of the disciples, named Matthew, remembered that Jesus had said, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mt. 20:28)." And Peter said, "It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19)." Another disciple said it this way, "Christ Jesus, …gave himself as a ransom for all men (1 Tim 2:5-6). Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2)."
There are those who say that the sacrifice of bulls and goats is enough. If it was good enough for our fathers, it’s good enough for us. Not so, according to a disciple of Jesus who was once an avid defender of our fathers’ faith.
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am-- it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.'"
First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (Heb 10:1-14 NIV)
And according to Peter, Jesus was a substitute. Each of us deserve to die but instead it was Jesus who paid the ransom with his life. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 2:24, 3:18)"
So that’s the gospel. The good news of ransom, redemption, sacrifice and substitution. The good news of the cross! So that’s the good news!
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at gerrys@christianlight.com
Copyright © 1996 by Gerry Sturgeon
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.