What Jesus Accomplished on the Cross
Did Jesus go to the cross only to deliver people from their sin? Is there another reason that is just as important?
I actually meant for my last post to be a multiple choice question. But of course the answer to what Jesus accomplished on the cross is all three: provided an example for us to follow, atonement for sin, and overthrew the powers of evil.
An Example to Follow
Most everyone agrees (Christian or not) that Jesus provided an example of self-sacrifice. The greatest display of love is one lays down his life for another [sidenote]. But Christians (at least the evangelical circles I move in) see this only as a secondary byproduct. This wasn’t the real reason Jesus died and rose again.
Atonement for Sin
The real (and only reason) for the cross is for the atonement for sin. By this we mean a variety of things.
- Jesus’s sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God. (propitiation)
- Jesus bought us out of slavery with his blood. (redemption)
- Jesus took our place, receiving the full penalty of sin on our behalf. In fact, if we take the cross and resurrection as a whole (and why wouldn’t you?), then we can say there was an exchange made: he took our sin; we his righteousness. (substitution)
This is all basically the same thing. Jesus died for our sins. Even non-Christians know that because that has been the dominant interpretation of the work of Christ since the Middle Ages.
Overthrew the Powers of Evil
What about Jesus overthrowing the powers of evil? I thought Kenny was referencing this when he commented “broke the curse” on the previous post. But now I’m not so sure because I’m used to seeing everything interpreted in the light of “Jesus died for our sins.” Jesus broke the curse for sure, the curse of original sin in my individual life.
Here’s the question again. Did Jesus go to the cross only to deliver people from their sin? Is there another reason that is just as important?
sidenote:
The only ones who would disagree are those who are afraid of someone not taking care of themselves. To love others, you must first love yourself, they might say. But loving yourself usually isn’t the problem. At least, it isn’t for me.
Posted by
jos' on
February 2nd, 2008 .
Filed under:
theology |
1 Comment »
What Did Jesus Accomplish at the Cross?
Include the resurrection in that, of course.
What did Jesus’s death and resurrection accomplish?
- provided an example for us to follow
- overthrew the powers of evil
- atonement for sin
Posted by
jos' on
January 24th, 2008 .
Filed under:
theology |
2 Comments »
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