The Cross and Salvation (1)

Hebrews 10:1-14; 1 Timothy 2:1-6

Introduction

Now to consider, in next two messages, nature of Salvation which comes to us from Christ’s death. First look at four great words which describe cross and atonement. Touch on some things already mentioned, but now develop them fuller.

Sacrifice

Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2). But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). Also use word “blood” many times in Bible to point to Sacrifice. Right back in Old Testament many references, especially in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, to sacrifice and shedding of blood. When men sinned and in wrong with God, offered sacrifice to make atonement for sin. Sin was covered. Brought back into fellowship with God.

Various sacrifices (burnt, sin, trespass, peace offerings). Ritual not always same in detail but same general pattern discernible. Offerer drew near with animal victim, which was unblemished and pure. Laid hands on head of animal. Symbolic transference of guilt to head of animal. It was then slain. Priest caught blood and usually poured it out at base of altar. Part of sacrifice was burnt on altar (whole animal in case of burnt offering). Rest was divided among priests (in sin and trespass offering) and worshipper (in peace offering).

The meaning – worshipper deserved death. But God graciously allowed him to offer spotless substitute on whose head sins were symbolically transferred. Blood poured out showed life poured out in death. So there was a substitute for the sinner, and the sinner now was free.

Epistle to Hebrews explains how these animal sacrifices pointed to Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, where He died once for all. Old Testament sacrifices were only symbols and had to be repeated again and again. But Christ offered perfect sacrifice, which was no symbol but really takes away our sin. Perfect atonement. Once for all. Never to be repeated. Work is done, that is why He is now seated. Hence we can enter into God’s presence with absolute confidence, and offer our prayers to God through Him. Boldness at the throne.

He fulfils and completes all Old Testament sacrifices. They were shadow. He is reality. Once for all, never to be repeated. Reason why we object to Roman Catholic Mass (where Christ is constantly offered on the altar).

At the beginnings of UCCF, Charles Simeon entered Kings College Cambridge, 1779. College rule obliged him to attend communion. Absolutely unfit. “Satan was as fit as I”, he said later. Deeply convicted. Read. Prayed. Fasted. Became ill. Read book on the Lord’s Supper. Read that Jews transferred their sin to head of offering. Thought to himself “What - may I transfer all my guilt onto the head of another? Has God provided an offering for me that I may lay my sins on his head? At once I sought to lay my sins on the sacred head of Jesus. Arose on Easter Day with the words ‘Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah’ on my heart and lips. From that hour peace flowed in abundance into my soul. And at the Lord’s Table I had the sweetest access to God through my blessed Saviour.”

Propitiation

Whom God set forth to be a propitiation by his blood (Romans 3:25). He is the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2). There are minor differences between translations of these verses, though they do not in any way affect Christian faith. AV and NKJV uses “propitiation”, where NIV refers to “atoning sacrifice”. The NIV translators used better Greek texts because had access to older manuscripts, but not always as sharp and clear as might be. Even RSV’s “expiation”, meaning sin covered up and annulled, is inadequate.

Because of Christ’s death, God’s wrath was turned away from us – this is propitiation. People object to propitiation, for it suggests God is vindictive and bloodthirsty, filled with bad temper and crude passion. He is not that at all, of course, but nevertheless His wrath is real. He reacts against our sin in holiness and righteousness.

Modern dislike of God’s wrath, for tendency to see punishment as relic of primitive revenge. But New Testament insists on the fact that God punishes. Superficiality makes its own end – the kind it likes - for as long as we reject Scripture’s idea of God’s holiness and wrath, decay in the Christian church will continue.

But God’s wrath was removed from us. Not meaning God was bribed or bought off. But treats us differently. Because of the Cross, God’s feeling has not changed (He always loved us) but His treatment of us has changed. Relationship is differently known. God in His love actually provides propitiation. He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10). Sin affects God. He cannot forget and ignore. Our past belongs to us, our sin is put to our account. Then in the person of Son He takes burden on Himself and turns aside His wrath from us as He takes it on Himself. Sentences criminal, then pays our fine.

Ransom

The Son of Man gave his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Who gave himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6).

Familiar with idea of ransom, ancient and modern. Someone of importance is captured, and only released on payment of ransom. Picture of lives under sentence of death. Lives are forfeit. Ransom price is paid for release. So walk out of death cell free and without fear. Price is paid for freedom. “Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven”. Set free because of payment of price. Because He has died, we can live for evermore.

To whom was ransom paid? Origin – ransom to Devil. He over reached himself. Torture for him to retain perfect soul of Christ. Had to give him up, and therefore Christ arose. (Hence God had tricked devil). But Bible does not say to whom the ransom was paid. If paid to anyone, it is to God by God. Main point of picture is that we are set free because price has been paid by someone else who died in our place.

“In my place condemned he stood”.

Finished Work

It is finished (John 19:31). “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe”. The death of Christ was not only necessary, it was sufficient. Nothing more is needed. Nothing more to pay. Paid debt to the last farthing. We can add and contribute nothing. How the heart goes out in gratitude to Christ.

“I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died

And that he died for me”

As a result, we can have instant and free, full and immediate Salvation. The accounts in our name with our sins listed – God writes “paid” over the whole page. Nothing more to do but accept salvation as a free gift. So saved and sure. Assurance is possible because He has done everything. If in any way it depended on us, we could never be sure, because we could never be certain we had done enough. Cannot improve on what is finished or add to what is already complete.

Someone once put it this way: “The difference between your religion and mine is two letters. You depend on what you do, I depend on what has been done.”

Hudson Taylor was in his father’s study. (Mother was 80 miles away. Gave self to prayer whole afternoon that day). Tract on table, Hudson read the story but put the tract down when it got to the moral. Eye caught the words “finished work of Christ”. He wondered what was finished – and read on. “A full and perfect atonement for sin. Debt was paid. What is left for me to do? Nothing but fall on my knees and praise his name for evermore”.

Nothing to do. No contribution to make. Work is done. Debt is paid. Gift now waits to be received. “It is finished” consolidated heaven, shook hell, delighted Father, brought down Spirit and confirmed everlasting covenant to elect. This is what makes Gospel so wonderful. Really good news. But for others, it is the greatest stumbling block. Pride keeps them from accepting free gift at someone else’s expense.

Conclusion

How do we react to the Cross as sacrifice for sin, propitiation, ransom, finished work? Either means everything to us, or nothing. By that standard we may know if we are Christian in Bible sense. Not talking about good works. Nor about being member of a church.

Do you glory in the Cross? Is it your only hope? Does it mean everything to you? Or are you still clinging to self, boasting in self? It must be one or the other. Must realize eternal destiny depends on this one thing.

If turn to Christ and depend on what He did on the Cross, we are saved now, forgiven now, accepted now for time and eternity. Wants no contribution and no worthiness. He wants willingness - Whosoever will, let him come.

“Let not conscience make you linger

Nor of fitness fondly dream.

All the fitness he requireth

Is to feel your need of him.”

Because Jesus died, we can confess sins over sacrifice, know God’s wrath has been turned away, set free from condemnation, nothing to do but receive Salvation now.