The Depth of Christ's Substitutionary Atonement

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound mystery of the atonement, it's essential to grasp the depth and significance of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ. The concept of substitution is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative of redemption. The New Testament presents Jesus as the "Last Adam," a representative who succeeds where the first Adam failed. This representation is crucial because, through one man's disobedience, sin entered the world, but through another's obedience, redemption is offered to humanity.

The Old Testament rituals, particularly the Day of Atonement, serve as a shadow of the ultimate atonement accomplished by Christ. The high priest's role, the scapegoat, and the sacrificial lamb all point to the necessity of a substitute to bear the sins of the people. The shedding of blood in these rituals symbolizes the giving of life, as the penalty for sin is death. This is not merely about the physical act of bleeding but about the life given in place of another.

In the New Testament, the concepts of expiation and propitiation are central to understanding atonement. Expiation involves the removal of guilt, symbolized by the scapegoat carrying sins away. Propitiation, on the other hand, addresses the satisfaction of God's justice, where the substitute bears the penalty deserved by sinners. Without a substitute, neither expiation nor propitiation is possible, as humanity cannot satisfy divine justice on its own.

The covenantal structure of atonement is also significant. In the Old Testament, breaking the covenant meant being under a curse. Christ, in His atoning work, becomes a curse for us, fulfilling the law's demands and bearing the curse that was rightfully ours. This act of substitution is vividly portrayed in Christ's crucifixion, where He is forsaken by God, experiencing the ultimate penalty for sin—divine forsakenness.

Key Takeaways:

- The substitutionary atonement of Christ is central to the biblical narrative of redemption. Jesus, as the "Last Adam," represents humanity, succeeding where the first Adam failed, offering redemption through His obedience. [03:01]

- The Old Testament rituals, particularly the Day of Atonement, foreshadow the ultimate atonement accomplished by Christ. These rituals highlight the necessity of a substitute to bear the sins of the people, pointing to the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus. [06:42]

- Expiation and propitiation are crucial concepts in understanding atonement. Expiation involves the removal of guilt, while propitiation addresses the satisfaction of God's justice. Both require a substitute, as humanity cannot satisfy divine justice on its own. [13:00]

- The covenantal structure of atonement reveals the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a substitute. Christ becomes a curse for us, fulfilling the law's demands and bearing the curse that was rightfully ours, offering us redemption. [21:21]

- Christ's crucifixion is the ultimate act of substitution, where He is forsaken by God, experiencing the penalty for sin—divine forsakenness. This act underscores the depth of God's love and the extent of Christ's sacrifice for humanity. [22:35]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - The Controversy of Atonement
[01:34] - Substitution in Redemption
[02:12] - The Last Adam
[03:57] - Old Testament Atonement Rituals
[05:26] - The Scapegoat and the Lamb
[06:42] - Shadows of the True Atonement
[08:27] - The Significance of Blood
[09:40] - Substitutionary Action
[10:19] - Expiation and Propitiation
[13:00] - The Need for a Substitute
[15:46] - Covenant Structure of Atonement
[18:04] - The Curse of Sin
[19:52] - Christ as Our Substitute
[21:21] - Christ Becomes a Curse
[22:35] - The Forsakenness of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Profound Mystery of Atonement

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:12-19 - Discusses the concept of Jesus as the "Last Adam" and the representation of humanity.
2. Leviticus 16:1-34 - Describes the Day of Atonement rituals, including the scapegoat and sacrificial lamb.
3. Galatians 3:10-14 - Explains Christ becoming a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the law.

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Observation Questions:

1. What role does the "Last Adam" play in the New Testament's narrative of redemption, and how does it contrast with the first Adam? [03:01]

2. How do the Old Testament rituals, particularly the Day of Atonement, foreshadow the ultimate atonement accomplished by Christ? [06:42]

3. What are the two distinct aspects of substitutionary action mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the concepts of expiation and propitiation? [10:19]

4. How does the covenantal structure of atonement reveal the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a substitute? [15:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the concept of Jesus as the "Last Adam" help us understand the nature of redemption and representation in the New Testament? [03:01]

2. How do the Old Testament rituals, such as the scapegoat and sacrificial lamb, enhance our understanding of Christ's atoning work? [06:42]

3. What is the significance of Christ becoming a curse for us, and how does this fulfill the law's demands? [21:21]

4. How do the concepts of expiation and propitiation deepen our understanding of the atonement and the necessity of a substitute? [13:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea of Jesus as the "Last Adam." How does this representation affect your understanding of your own identity in Christ? [03:01]

2. The Old Testament rituals were shadows of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. How can you use this understanding to appreciate the depth of Christ's sacrifice in your daily life? [06:42]

3. Consider the concept of Christ becoming a curse for us. How does this impact your view of sin and redemption, and how can it influence your daily decisions? [21:21]

4. Expiation involves the removal of guilt. Is there a specific area in your life where you struggle with guilt? How can you apply the truth of Christ's atonement to find freedom? [10:19]

5. Propitiation satisfies God's justice. How does understanding this aspect of atonement help you in your relationship with God, especially when you feel unworthy? [13:00]

6. The covenantal structure of atonement highlights the seriousness of sin. How can this understanding motivate you to live a life that honors God's covenant with you? [15:46]

7. Reflect on the forsakenness of Christ on the cross. How does this act of divine love challenge you to love others sacrificially in your own life? [22:35]

Devotional

Day 1: The Last Adam's Obedience and Redemption
The concept of substitutionary atonement is central to the biblical narrative of redemption. Jesus is presented as the "Last Adam," a representative who succeeds where the first Adam failed. Through Adam's disobedience, sin entered the world, but through Christ's obedience, redemption is offered to humanity. This act of obedience is not just a reversal of Adam's failure but a fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' life and sacrifice demonstrate the depth of God's love and the lengths He will go to restore humanity to Himself. [03:01]

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (ESV): "For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace Christ's obedience as a model for your own actions and decisions today?


Day 2: Shadows of True Atonement
The Old Testament rituals, particularly the Day of Atonement, foreshadow the ultimate atonement accomplished by Christ. These rituals, including the role of the high priest, the scapegoat, and the sacrificial lamb, highlight the necessity of a substitute to bear the sins of the people. The shedding of blood in these rituals symbolizes the giving of life, as the penalty for sin is death. This points to the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus, who fulfills these shadows by offering Himself as the ultimate substitute, bearing the sins of humanity and providing a way for reconciliation with God. [06:42]

Hebrews 10:1-4 (ESV): "For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?"

Reflection: How can you see Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament shadows in your own spiritual journey today?


Day 3: The Necessity of a Substitute
Expiation and propitiation are crucial concepts in understanding atonement. Expiation involves the removal of guilt, symbolized by the scapegoat carrying sins away. Propitiation addresses the satisfaction of God's justice, where the substitute bears the penalty deserved by sinners. Without a substitute, neither expiation nor propitiation is possible, as humanity cannot satisfy divine justice on its own. Christ's role as the substitute is essential for the removal of guilt and the satisfaction of divine justice, offering humanity a path to reconciliation with God. [13:00]

1 John 2:2 (ESV): "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."

Reflection: What guilt or burden are you carrying that you need to lay at the feet of Jesus, trusting Him as your substitute today?


Day 4: Christ Becomes a Curse for Us
The covenantal structure of atonement reveals the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a substitute. In the Old Testament, breaking the covenant meant being under a curse. Christ, in His atoning work, becomes a curse for us, fulfilling the law's demands and bearing the curse that was rightfully ours. This act of substitution is vividly portrayed in Christ's crucifixion, where He is forsaken by God, experiencing the ultimate penalty for sin—divine forsakenness. Through this, Christ offers redemption and a restored relationship with God. [21:21]

Galatians 3:13 (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.'"

Reflection: How does understanding Christ's willingness to become a curse for you change the way you view your relationship with God today?


Day 5: The Forsakenness of Christ
Christ's crucifixion is the ultimate act of substitution, where He is forsaken by God, experiencing the penalty for sin—divine forsakenness. This act underscores the depth of God's love and the extent of Christ's sacrifice for humanity. In experiencing separation from God, Jesus fully bears the weight of sin, offering humanity the opportunity for reconciliation and eternal life. This profound sacrifice calls believers to reflect on the magnitude of God's love and the transformative power of Christ's atonement in their lives. [22:35]

Matthew 27:46 (ESV): "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"

Reflection: In what ways can you respond to the depth of Christ's sacrifice by living out His love and grace in your daily interactions with others today?

Quotes


But the idea of substitution is so deeply rooted in the whole Biblical concept of redemption that to eliminate substitution from our theology and from our Christology is, in my judgment, simply to discard the Scriptures altogether. Karl Barth, who carried no brief for classical orthodoxy, once made the observation that, in his judgment, the single most important word in all of the New Testament is the Greek word huper, which means in behalf of, in behalf of, indicating a redemption that is accomplished vicariously, a redemption that is accomplished for us by someone else. [00:02:03]

Now, again, the New Testament looks at Jesus, and among the titles that are given to Jesus in the New Testament is the title the "Last Adam," or the "new Adam," wherein Christ becomes a representative in an analogous way to the manner in which Adam was our first representative. And the New Testament labors the point that in the fall of one man ruin and death came on the world, and through the other man's obedience redemption came to us. [00:03:02]

And so we see this concept of representation in the New Testament with respect to the role of Jesus as the successful Adam, the last Adam, who does for us, for His people, what the first Adam failed to achieve. But also if we go back to the Old Testament and see how the whole concept of atonement works out in Israel by an elaborate system of ritual and ceremony that God commanded of His people in terms of the annual Day of Atonement in which several animals were involved. [00:03:48]

In the first place, the high priest who was selected and alone able to offer the sacrifice required of God to atone for the sins of the people, before he himself could offer the sacrifice, had to offer sacrifices of his own in order to qualify to act as a priest for the rest of the people. And then, of course, in the drama of the atonement ritual in the tabernacle and in the temple there were involved two distinct animals. [00:04:38]

On the one hand there was the scapegoat, and you recall how in the Old Testament situation that one of the rites associated with the Day of Atonement was when this goat was brought to the priest, to the high priest, and the high priest then laid his hands on the back of the goat symbolizing the transfer or the imputation of the sins of the people to the goat and then the goat was driven out into the wilderness, outside the camp, outside where the presence of God was experienced in blessing. [00:05:19]

The other part was the slaying of the lamb whose blood was then sprinkled upon the mercy seat, which was the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, which was the throne of God, which was found in the Holy of Holies. And in fact the language that is used there is that that mercy seat was called 'the reconciliation', because there the blood that was spilled indicated the manner or the means by which God would be reconciled to His people. [00:06:04]

And yet in the New Testament we are reminded that these substitutes that were used in the ceremony of the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament were but shadows of a reality that would come later. The author of Hebrews tells us that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins, so that the value of those atoning sacrifices in the Old Testament was restricted to there being a dramatization or illustration of an authentic atonement that was yet to come. [00:06:49]

And the substitution aspect was seen that what God was saying to the people of Israel, "You have sinned; you have committed capital offences against me, and the law requires your death, but I will accept in the place of your death the death of a substitute symbolized by the death of these animals that were provided in the sacrificial system of Israel. [00:09:41]

Now, in this substitutionary action there are two distinct aspects to it that the Scriptures speak of. They speak of propitiation, and they speak of expiation. Let's start with the second one first. These two words sound very similar and they are except for the prefixes are different. And if we look at the first one, expiation, the prefix 'ex' means from or out of. [00:10:10]

And what is in view with the concept of expiation is the removal of guilt from a person where it is moved away from him and transmitted to some distance. And it's what I would call the horizontal dimension of atonement. Now, in the Old Testament, again, we see it in the drama of the scapegoat. The sin of the people is transferred to the goat and then the goat takes the sins away. [00:10:47]

Now, propitiation has to do with the vertical dimension, and this takes us back to our previous lecture where in the act of propitiation God's justice is propitiated or satisfied, that the moral obligation that we owe for our sins is paid to God in the vertical dimension, and so in this case God's justice is satisfied. He is placated. He is fully satisfied with the price that has been paid by our substitute. [00:12:50]

Verse 13, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law having become a curse for us," pro nobis. He has become a curse for us for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs upon the tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus." When Paul probes the depths of the atonement, He goes to the concept of the curse. [00:21:05]

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Transcript
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