Lesson Eight
The Sacrificial Death of Christ
It was at the Garden of Eden where our first parents plunged the entire human race in guilt, sin and misery when they listened to the tempter. “You shall be as gods” was his bait. But instead of being as God, we ended up under the same condemnation as the Devil. But God, in His mercy, contrived a rescue that He had never put into effect for fallen angels. His remedy was just the opposite of our fall” We wanted to be as God, but Christ, in order to redeem us, left His glorious place in Heaven, and put on humanity in order to bring us back to God. The sacrificial death of Christ is a wonderful truth that cannot justly be covered in one mere lesson, but hopefully this outline will suggest further study and encouraging meditation on your part. “The works of the Lord are great, sought out by all those who have pleasure in them” (Psa. 111:2).
I. Introduction
• It is often said, “Cut the Bible anywhere and it bleeds; it is red with redemption truth.” One out of every 44 verses in the New Testament deals with the sacrificial death of Christ. It is mentioned in all, 175 times. (from the text) • Crucifixion was still an unusual manner of death in Israel at this time, stoning being the usual practice (Acts 7). This shows even more clearly that our Lord’s death was divinely planned and foretold.
II. Prominence of The Sacrifice - Jesus Christ was born to die -- and to live forever, King of Life and Death (“I have the keys of hell and of death.”)
A. Mysterious Purpose of the Incarnation: Christ knew where His earthly life would end up, even though the prophets - and angels even - did not know. (1 Pet. 1:10- 12). His disciples, as well, were unable to understand His coming sacrifice. What little they understood they were unreceptive to. “Lord, this will not happen to You!”.
B. Main theme of all the Gospels: The death of Christ.
The death is more prominent than His life. Consider how much material we have from His crucifixion and the week previous compared to the previous period of over 30 years.
III. Prophecy concerning The Sacrifice: Predicted in three ways:
A. Symbol: Law, our Schoolmaster. Shedding of blood. Sacrifice. High Priesthood. (Gal. 3:24; Lev. 1:2; Heb. 9:11- 14)
B. Type: Abel’s offering accepted (Heb. 9:22, 11:4). Passover lamb (Ex. 12:5- 7, 13; 1 Cor. 5:7). Brazen serpent (Num. 21:9; John 3:14- 17)
C. Word:
1. The Savior humiliated, stripped, thirsting: Isa. 53:12; Psa. 22:17- 18; 34:20; Luke 23:34; John 19:28- 30. “It is finished”.
Question 1. What is the significance to His garment not being torn (as opposed to 1 Samuel 15:27- 28; 1 Kings 11:30 and Mark 2:21)?
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Question 2: According to the context: What is finished?
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2. The Savior pierced: Psa. 22:14- 16; Zech. 12:10; John 19:34.
IV. Provision of the Sacrifice:
Note: One of the key areas to study is the definition of “provision” and “provide” How do we normally use this word? As something provisionally given or definitely given? (“a good provider”, etc.).
A. The Lamb provided for Abraham: Gen. 22:1- 14. Jehovah Jireh
B. The Lamb provided for the world: John 1:29
“ The next day John sees Jesus coming toward him, and says, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
Question: If we take John’s words here at face value, and Jesus does take away the sin of the world, why is there any sin left in the world? Part of the answer is in how John uses the word “world”: Not always is he referring to everyone in the world, but rather a subset of people in the world. Compare, for instance, John 3:16 with John 17:9. Can these two “worlds” be the same? Do they even overlap?
V. Purpose of the Sacrifice:
A. Fulfillment of Scripture: Luke 24: 25- 26; 1 Cor. 15:3
B. Holiness of God: Psa. 47:8; Isa. 6:3
C. Sinfulness of Man: Rom. 3:10- 20; Heb. 2:14- 15
We often don’t think of how hard it is for points B and C to be fulfilled, taking it for granted, but only God could have done this. These two meet together at Romans 3:26.
VI. Propitiation through Sacrifice:
A. Defined: Propitiation is “the sacrifice that brings forgiveness and takes away wrath” (Sproul)
Propitiation does not mean “pre-approved”.
B. Sufficient for all: Rev. 22:17, John 6:37.
C. Efficient for the elect (believer)*: Heb. 2:9- 17; John 6:37; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:14.
VII. The Personal Connection of The Sacrifice - New Life in Christ:
A. We are saved from the Penalty of Sin. Rom: 3:24; 5:1; 8:1; Titus 2:14
B. Secured from the Power of Sin: Rom. 6:6- 18; 8:12, Gal. 1:4, Eph 1.
C. Separates (eventually) from the Presence of Sin. Rev. 21:27.
Due Next Week:
Read chapter 8: The Resurrection of Christ.
Study the “In Christ” passages of Eph. 1 and 2:3- 13 and Col. 2:3- 13. (“In Him”, “In whom”, etc.) According to these, what do we have in Christ? Share in Christ? Commanded to do in Christ? Anything else?
Digging Deeper:
* The text states “Only man’s unbelief limits the atonement.” While this is true from our limited perspective (since we cannot “see” God’s election of believers), it is better to keep in mind verses like John 10:26. “But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep”. (Note: He does not reverses the order: “You are not my sheep, because you do not believe.”) This verse teaches God’s election of some and His passing by of others. This necessarily, both Scripturally and logically, limits the effective extent of the atonement to sheep and not to goats.
** Flavel writes this about the death of Christ:
“Believers indeed present themselves to God, Romans 1:21; but Christ’s presenting them makes their tender of themselves acceptable to the Lord:
“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight.” Col. 1:22.
Christ leads every believer as it were by the hand into the gracious presence of God, after this manner bespeaking acceptance for him:
“Father, here is a poor soul that was born in sin, has lived in rebellion against thee all his days; he has broken all thy laws, and deserved all thy wrath; yet he is one of those which thou gavest me before the world was. I have atoned by my blood for all his sins; I have opened his eyes to see the sinfulness and misery of his condition; broken his heart for his rebellion
against thee; bowed his will in obedience to thy will; united him to myself by faith as a living member of my body; and now, Lord, since he is become mine by regeneration, let him be thine also by special acceptance; let the same love with which thou lovest me embrace him also who is now become mine.”