The Cosmic Significance of Christ's Crucifixion

 

Summary

In today's session, we explored the profound significance of the crucifixion of Christ, a pivotal event that stands at the zenith of His mission. While those present at Golgotha on Good Friday may not have grasped the cosmic significance of the event, the New Testament epistles provide us with a deeper understanding of its meaning. The crucifixion was not merely a political act or a miscarriage of justice, but an atonement with far-reaching implications.

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 3, speaks of the righteousness of God revealed through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is made possible through the act of propitiation by His blood. Propitiation, a concept rooted in the Old Testament Day of Atonement, involves the satisfaction of God's justice through a blood sacrifice. The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies, sprinkling the blood of a sacrifice on the Mercy Seat, symbolizing the satisfaction of God's justice. This act foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood truly atones for sin.

The concept of redemption is also central to understanding the work of Christ on the cross. Redemption involves purchasing something back, akin to the redemption centers of old where stamps were exchanged for goods. In the spiritual sense, Christ's sacrifice redeems us from the bondage of sin, purchasing us with His blood. This act of redemption is akin to the kinsman redeemer in the Old Testament, who would pay the price to liberate a relative from servitude.

Paul's letter to the Galatians further illuminates this by explaining that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. The curse, a result of failing to keep God's law, is reversed through Christ's sacrifice. He embodies the curse, experiencing the ultimate forsakenness by God, so that we might receive the blessing promised to Abraham. This profound exchange underscores the depth of Christ's love and the completeness of His work.

The crucifixion, therefore, is not just about physical suffering but about the spiritual reality of Christ bearing the curse of sin. His cry of abandonment on the cross reflects the weight of this curse, yet it is through this act that we are reconciled to God. The story of redemption does not end with the crucifixion; it continues with the resurrection, affirming the victory of Christ over sin and death.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Cosmic Significance of the Crucifixion: The crucifixion of Christ is the zenith of His mission, an act of cosmic significance that goes beyond political expediency or injustice. It is an atonement with far-reaching implications, revealing the depth of God's plan for redemption. [00:37]

2. Propitiation and God's Justice: The concept of propitiation involves satisfying God's justice through a blood sacrifice. This Old Testament ritual foreshadowed Christ's ultimate sacrifice, which truly atones for sin and satisfies the demands of God's holiness. [05:04]

3. Redemption Through Christ's Blood: Redemption is an act of purchasing back, and Christ's sacrifice redeems us from the bondage of sin. Like the kinsman redeemer, Christ pays the price for our liberation, purchasing us with His blood. [09:11]

4. Christ as the Curse Bearer: Christ redeems us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. This profound exchange allows us to receive the blessing promised to Abraham, highlighting the depth of Christ's love and sacrifice. [14:40]

5. The Spiritual Reality of the Crucifixion: Beyond physical suffering, the crucifixion is about Christ bearing the curse of sin. His cry of abandonment reflects the weight of this curse, yet it is through this act that we are reconciled to God. [19:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - The Significance of the Crucifixion
- [01:21] - Perspectives at Golgotha
- [02:09] - Understanding Through the Epistles
- [02:55] - Propitiation by His Blood
- [03:37] - The Day of Atonement
- [04:21] - The Role of the High Priest
- [05:04] - The Mercy Seat and God's Justice
- [05:59] - God's Holiness and Justice
- [06:44] - The Necessity of Atonement
- [07:38] - The Limitations of Old Testament Sacrifices
- [08:19] - The Blood of Christ
- [09:11] - Redemption and Its Meaning
- [10:46] - The Kinsman Redeemer
- [12:58] - Christ as Our Redeemer
- [13:58] - The Curse of the Law
- [15:55] - The Curse and the Blessing
- [16:48] - The Hebrew Benediction
- [18:18] - Christ Becomes the Curse
- [19:13] - The Agony of Forsakenness
- [20:07] - The Completion of Christ's Work

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 3:21-26
2. Galatians 3:10-14
3. Hebrews 9:11-14

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he refers to the crucifixion as the "zenith of the work of Christ"? [00:37]

2. How does the concept of propitiation in Romans 3 relate to the Old Testament Day of Atonement? [03:37]

3. What is the significance of Christ being described as a "kinsman redeemer" in the context of redemption? [12:58]

4. According to Galatians 3, how does Christ redeem us from the curse of the law? [14:40]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of propitiation challenge the common perception of God as solely loving and forgiving? [05:59]

2. In what ways does the imagery of the kinsman redeemer deepen our understanding of Christ's sacrifice on the cross? [12:58]

3. What does it mean for Christ to become a curse for us, and how does this affect our understanding of the crucifixion? [19:13]

4. How does the resurrection affirm the victory of Christ over sin and death, and why is it essential to the story of redemption? [20:50]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the cosmic significance of the crucifixion. How does this perspective change the way you view your own faith journey? [00:37]

2. The sermon discusses the satisfaction of God's justice through Christ's sacrifice. How does this understanding impact your view of justice and mercy in your own life? [05:59]

3. Redemption involves being purchased back from bondage. In what areas of your life do you feel in bondage, and how can you seek Christ's redemption in those areas? [09:11]

4. Consider the idea of Christ bearing the curse of the law for us. How does this influence your response to sin and grace in your daily life? [14:40]

5. The sermon highlights the spiritual reality of the crucifixion beyond physical suffering. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the spiritual aspects of your faith? [19:13]

6. How can the concept of Christ as our kinsman redeemer inspire you to act as a redeemer in your community, helping others find freedom and hope? [12:58]

7. Reflect on the resurrection as the continuation of the redemption story. How can you live out the victory of Christ over sin and death in your everyday actions and decisions? [20:50]

Devotional

Day 1: The Cosmic Significance of Christ's Crucifixion
The crucifixion of Christ is not merely a historical event but a cosmic turning point in God's redemptive plan. It transcends political and social dimensions, revealing the depth of God's love and the profound nature of His mission. The crucifixion is the zenith of Christ's mission, where the divine plan for humanity's redemption is fully realized. This act of atonement has far-reaching implications, offering a glimpse into the cosmic significance of Christ's sacrifice. As believers, understanding this significance helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the magnitude of His plan for our salvation. [00:37]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: How does recognizing the cosmic significance of Christ's crucifixion change the way you view your relationship with God and His creation today?


Day 2: Propitiation and the Fulfillment of God's Justice
The concept of propitiation is central to understanding the crucifixion. In the Old Testament, the Day of Atonement involved a high priest entering the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of a sacrifice on the Mercy Seat, symbolizing the satisfaction of God's justice. This ritual foreshadowed Christ's ultimate sacrifice, where His blood truly atones for sin and satisfies the demands of God's holiness. Through Christ's propitiation, believers are reconciled to God, experiencing the fullness of His grace and mercy. This profound act underscores the necessity of atonement and the fulfillment of divine justice. [05:04]

Hebrews 9:11-12 (ESV): "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."

Reflection: In what ways can you live today with a deeper awareness of the justice and mercy of God as fulfilled through Christ's sacrifice?


Day 3: Redemption Through Christ's Blood
Redemption is a powerful theme in the narrative of Christ's crucifixion. It involves purchasing something back, akin to the redemption centers of old where stamps were exchanged for goods. Spiritually, Christ's sacrifice redeems us from the bondage of sin, purchasing us with His blood. This act of redemption is similar to the kinsman redeemer in the Old Testament, who would pay the price to liberate a relative from servitude. Through Christ's blood, believers are set free from the chains of sin, experiencing the liberation and new life that His sacrifice offers. [09:11]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel bound by sin, and how can you invite Christ's redemptive power to bring freedom and transformation today?


Day 4: Christ as the Curse Bearer
Christ's crucifixion is a profound exchange where He becomes the curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the law. The curse, a result of failing to keep God's law, is reversed through Christ's sacrifice. By embodying the curse, Christ experiences the ultimate forsakenness by God, allowing believers to receive the blessing promised to Abraham. This exchange highlights the depth of Christ's love and the completeness of His work, offering believers the opportunity to live in the fullness of God's blessing and grace. [14:40]

Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."

Reflection: How can you embrace the blessings of Abraham in your life today, knowing that Christ has borne the curse on your behalf?


Day 5: The Spiritual Reality of the Crucifixion
Beyond the physical suffering, the crucifixion of Christ is about bearing the curse of sin. His cry of abandonment on the cross reflects the weight of this curse, yet it is through this act that believers are reconciled to God. The spiritual reality of the crucifixion is a testament to the depth of Christ's love and the completeness of His work. It is a reminder that the story of redemption does not end with the crucifixion but continues with the resurrection, affirming the victory of Christ over sin and death. [19:13]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you live out the reality of being reconciled to God through Christ's sacrifice, and how does this shape your interactions with others today?

Quotes

Christ and Him crucified. Of course that was an example of apostolic hyperbole because Paul also knew considerably more and wrote on many other subjects besides the cross of Christ. But what Paul was saying with that comment was in the crucifixion we reach the zenith of the work of Christ, the acme, the high point of the mission He was sent to accomplish. [00:00:19]

To understand the depth of what happened in the cross, we have to look at the epistles in the New Testament, wherein we receive the interpretation of the meaning of the event of the cross. Just briefly, let me look for a second at Romans, chapter 3, where the Apostle Paul says these words in verse 21, "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe, for there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood." [00:02:01]

Now, what does that mean? The Jew who would read this material would understand it in light of the Old Testament celebration of the Day of Atonement. You vie in importance as to which was the most important day of the year, the celebration of the Passover, or the celebration of the Day of Atonement. But the annual Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, took place when the high priest was consecrated for a special task. He himself had to make an offering of a bullock as a sacrifice, and then he was to take two goats, one that would be sent as the scapegoat into the wilderness, and the other goat that was to be killed. [00:03:37]

And then the high priest, again after elaborate cleansing rituals, was allowed to enter into the most sacred place in Israel, into the sanctus santorum, the Holy of Holies, behind the curtain on the edge of the Holy Place, where only the high priest could go. And he would enter into the Holy of Holies carrying with him the blood of the sacrifice that had been killed. And what did he do with it? He would take this blood and sprinkle it on the Mercy Seat. And the Mercy Seat, which was in the Holy of Holies, was the throne of God. [00:04:34]

So what we're involved with in an act of propitiation is an act of satisfaction. This concept is somewhat foreign to us because we've been told so often that God is a God of love. He's a God of mercy. He's a God of grace who forgives us freely of our sins, and the idea we have then of God is that all God has to do to reconcile us to Himself is just simply to dispense His forgiveness upon us. But when we think like this, we forget that God is holy. We forget that God is just. [00:05:49]

God will not wink at sin. God will not simply pass over it without exacting a punishment for it. And so in the whole elaborate ritual of the Day of Atonement, we see the symbolism of the blood sacrifice that is given to propitiate the wrath of God to satisfy His justice. Now, we come to the New Testament, and we read the book of Hebrews. And the book of Hebrews reminds us that the blood of bulls and goats cannot atone for our sins. [00:07:08]

Redemption has to do with redeeming something. We have the experience in our past history in America of having supermarkets and other stores that would give out savings stamps, and that custom has simply passed away in the last few years, but it used to be that in every mall, there would be a little store that was called a redemption center, and in that redemption center, there'd be all different kinds of appliances, and tools, bicycles, whatever, and for so many stamps that were saved, you could turn the stamps in for some real object of use because you couldn't really use the stamps. [00:09:21]

Again in the Old Testament, you had the situation where people when they were not able to pay their debts could give themselves to their debtor and enlist in the process of indentured servitude until the debt was paid. And if a man, for example, became an indentured servant, and he had to work for five, or six, or seven years to pay off his debt, and while he was in this servitude, married a woman, and time came when his term of service was finished, he was to be set free but not the woman. [00:10:40]

That imagery also runs through the Old Testament where Jesus purchases His bride who was in bondage, who was in servitude to the world, the flesh, and the devil. That's why Paul will say to his readers, you are not your own, but you've been bought with a price. You've been purchased. And the price tag was the blood of Christ, or we should say the life of Christ because in Jewish categories the life was in the blood. [00:11:53]

If we look then also at Paul's letter to the Galatians, in chapter 3 of Galatians, we see an astonishing statement where Paul writes in chapter 3, verse 10 these words, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all the things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for the just shall live by faith. [00:13:58]

Paul goes on to say here, using these categories of blessing and curse, it says, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. In order for the blessing that was promised to Abraham and to his seed to be received, sin must first be punished. [00:18:33]

The agony from which He screams on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me," happened when God turned the lights out. The Father turns His back on Jesus. Once Jesus had all of our sins imputed to Him, He was the most loathsome sight ever in the universe, and God is too holy as to even to look at sin, and so He turned His back on Him, that He might be cursed, that we may not be cursed, and instead we may be blessed. [00:19:36]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jun 22, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?