The Death of Christ

Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary some two thousand years ago. He died a criminal’s death (Is 53:12; Mt 15:28), yet He was the only man who never sinned (Heb 4:15). What must we know of His death? Why is Christ’s death so important?

All people sin against God and His holy law (Is 24:15; Rom 3:23). They offend God’s infinite majesty. Justice demands eternal punishment from sinners (Mt 18:8; 25:41, 46), whose only hope is the mercy of God (Ps 62:5; Rom 9:16; 11:30, 32; Eph 2:4).

No one is able to satisfy the demands of justice for his or her lawlessness (Rom 4:5, 13; 9:30–31). This is the reason Jesus Christ was made sin and a curse for us (2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13). God made Jesus our surety (Eph 1:13–14; 2 Cor 1:22; 5:5). In other words, He is the guarantor of our full redemption payment needed to cancel our debt of sin (Col 2:14).

Our infinite number of sins requires an infinite value to cover the redemption price (1 Cor 6:20; 7:23). There is only one sacrifice worth infinite valuation (Heb 10:12). There is only one perfect sacrifice (Lev 22:21; Heb 9:9; 10:1), and this sacrifice came at the death of the Son of God. Christ’s death expiated the sins of the whole world and could do so for infinite numbers of worlds (1 Jn 2:2).

If the cross reveals the severity of the wrath and curse of God, then Christ’s infinite qualifications, to be the one and only Savior, prove invaluable (2 Sam 22:3; Ps 106:21; Is 45:15, 21; Hos 13:4; Tit 1:4). This holy thing, the only begotten Son of God on the cross (Ps 2:7; Jn 1:14; 3:16), demonstrates the depth of need and the scope of coverage to be incalculable.

God sends His Spirit and the Gospel to whomever He wills (Ps 104:30; Is 48:16; Lk 4:18; Jn 3:34; 14:26; 15:26; Acts 13:4; Gal 4:6; Heb 1:14; 1 Pet 1:12). The Gospel is preached to all people without distinction (Mk 16:15). The promise of the Gospel is salvation to whosoever believes (Jn 3:16–18; 6:40; 1 Jn 5:10–12). Trust is placed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, was buried, and on the third day, rose from the dead with a glorified body. He ascended into heaven, was enthroned, and He reigns with all authority given to Him from God His Father (1 Jn 3:16). All men everywhere are commanded to repent and believe this good report (Acts 17:30).

Many are called by the preached Gospel, but the many do not repent and believe (Mt 22:14). All people are fully responsible for their sins, and they must give an account at the judgment throne of God, on the day of judgment, set by God the Father (Mt 12:36; Rom 14:12; 1 Pet 3:15; 4:5). We must note that the death of Christ on the tree at Golgotha is deficient in no way.

Repentant believers in Jesus’ merit absolutely nothing with God (Dan 9:18). Their debt for salvation is entirely owed to the grace of God (Jn 1:16; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 2:11). Grace was there, at work, when God the Father chose His people to be saved (Eph 1:4–6). By His grace, He gifted each one to Christ, the eternal Son (Jn 3:35; 10:29; 17:2, 24). It was for these people of His own possession that Christ came into the world (1 Pet 2:9). He bore their sins in His body (1 Pet 2:24). He laid down His life for them (Jn 10:11, 15). He gave Himself for them, alone (Eph 5:25).

The death of Christ was ordered by God’s sovereign counsel and will. God willed that Christ’s atoning death, as their substitute, would cover the entire, definite number of God’s elect (Lev 8:34; 9:7; Ps 74:2). He died in their place, and on their behalf, and for their benefit.

The redeemed elect have all their sins, original and practiced, purged by the precious blood of Christ (2 Chron 29:24). This is in accord with the eternal covenant, with Christ as its Mediator (Heb 9:15; 13:20). Jesus purchased every blessing and every benefit at the cross. Therefore, it is God the Father who drags the elect to the Son (Jn 6:44). It is the Holy Spirit, God’s gift to His elect, redeemed, who brings spiritual gifts to each Christian He causes to be born again (Gal 5:22–23; 1 Pet 1:3). The first gift being justifying faith (Rom 3:28), which He gives by His grace (Eph 2:8–9).

Those predestined to salvation, in eternity, are preserved entirely (1 Pet 1:4). The Spirit of God and of Christ promises to never leave nor forsake His saints (Heb 13:5). He has begun a good work in them, and He completes that good work in glorification (Phil 1:6).

Glorification of the saints (Eph 1:18), follows the death of the believer, and becomes a reality, body and soul, at the resurrection of the saints, on the day of Christ Jesus (1 Cor 15:21–23; 2 Thess 1:10).

The death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. Without this person and these events we would have no faith (1 Cor 15:17).

God’s motive in predestination (Eph 1:4–5), redemption (Rom 5:8), regeneration (Rom 5:5), preservation through to glorification (Rom 8:35–39): love, for His chosen people, the beloved of God (Rom 1:7). Jesus promised to build His church (Mt 16:18), and He warned that hell’s resistance would be formidable (Mt 16:18). His purpose may be challenged, but it can never be thwarted because of His sovereign power and ability to do all His holy will (Dan 4:35).

There has always been a church in the world, and there will always be a church present to bear witness of these glad tidings (Acts 14:17). It is our reasonable service to proclaim Him (Col 1:28), who died on the cross for us (Rom 5:8), and who shed His blood for our forgiveness (Dt 21:8; Mt 26:28; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:22).

God elected us for this purpose. Christ died to deliver us to this purpose. The Holy Spirit was given to us for this purpose. This is the eternal purpose of God for our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 3:11), and we praise Him for so great a salvation, planned for us, executed for us, and revealed to us (Heb 2:3; Rev 19:1).

It is the death of Christ that made it all possible. Here is: love, justice, satisfaction, mercy, and grace for our eternal joy and benefit. Give thanks to God for His indescribable gift (2 Cor 9:15), the death of Christ Jesus, our Lord, upon the cross.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

November 19, 2021