If you’ve ever wondered, “What is the heart of Christianity? What’s at the center of it all?” This is it . . . The idea of substitution.
Four thoughts:
1. Jesus was born to die so that we could actually live.
Do you realize that there are as many details about the crucifixion of Jesus in the Old Testament as there are in the New Testament?
There are literally dozens of predictions + prophecies about Jesus’ crucifixion in the Old Testament. Seven hundred to 1,000 years before Jesus was even born, the prophets indicated stuff like this:
Jesus would be . . .
• rejected by His own people (Isaiah 53:3).
• betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9).
• sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12).
• accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11).
• stand silent when accused (Isaiah 53:7).
• scorned + mocked (Psalm 22:7).
• spat upon + humiliated (Isaiah 50:6).
• crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12).
• further humiliated as soldiers gambled for His clothes (Psalm 22:18).
• given vinegar mixed with gall to drink (Psalm 69:21).
The Old Testament predicted that Jesus would pray for His enemies (Psalm 109:4), that none of His bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20), + that He would be buried in a rich man’s grave (Isaiah 53:9).
What does all this mean?
It means that Jesus was born to die!
The crucifixion of Jesus wasn’t an accident. It was a divine appointment.
From the opening moments of Jesus’ life, we get glimpses of this. For instance, when Joseph + Mary took their newborn son to the temple for His “christening” or “dedication” + an old man, a prophet named Simeon, held Jesus in his arms + praised God for the fulfillment of His promise, He looked at Mary + said, “ . . . a sword will pierce through your very own soul . . . ” (Luke 2:52).
In other words, “This child was born to die!” That must have horrified Mary. Thirty-three years later she would actually live to see that take place.
When Jesus’ own relative, John, introduced Him, John introduced Jesus like this: “Here He is! God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world” (John 1:29 MSG).
Revelation 13:8 says that Jesus is “ . . . the Lamb of God who was slaughtered before the world was made.”
Jesus was born to die so that you + I could actually live. His death made possible our life.
Remember, John 19:30 says that when Jesus died, He cried out in a loud voice, “It is finished!”
In Hebrew, the word is kalah. It’s the word that was used by the temple priest after all the sacrificial Passover lambs had been slaughtered. The priest would cry, “It is finished!” When Jesus said the same thing He was announcing the end of that entire system.
Passover started on Thursday at about 3 p.m. + concluded on Friday at about 3 p.m., so that the Passover Lamb could be roasted before Sabbath or Shabbat began at 6 p.m.
Track with me . . .
Jesus died at around 3 p.m., at the very moment the last Passover lamb was being sacrificed on Friday. At the same time the temple priest was saying, “kalah” — “It is finished!” Jesus, hanging on the cross, was also saying, “kalah”—“It is finished!”
The Greek New Testament term translated, “It is finished!” is tetelestai, which can be translated “paid in full.” In other words, when Jesus died, the sacrifice for sin was complete. The penalty for sin had been paid. Our eternal destiny was sealed.
Jesus’ death was not just the end of His life, it was the accomplishment of His mission.
On the cross, Jesus—God in the flesh—willingly took our place! He died for our sin, in our place.
Jesus was born to die so that we could actually live!
Before Jesus died on the cross, we were in bondage to sin. We were sold as slaves to sin + we deserved to die in our captivity. A price needed to be paid to redeem us, to buy us back from sin + death.
The price for our freedom + life was a perfect sacrifice. A sacrifice we could never make. When Jesus said: “It is finished,” He was announcing that He had paid the price, in full!
That’s why the veil in the temple was ripped in two. Because Jesus’ death destroyed the wall, gap + barrier between us + God! Jesus created a doorway out of what had previously been a dead-end called death.
That’s why we have the promise of new life.
Today’s Verse: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him + said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”—John 1:29 NLT
Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt the relief that comes when something is finally paid in full? Do you feel that relief about your own life?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that the debt that could have destroyed me, Jesus paid in full.
Today’s Prayer: Father, thank You for finding a way to spare me from the suffering I should’ve taken on because of my sin. May I always remember that Jesus paid my ransom + it is paid in full. Help me remember there is nothing more I need to do in order to reconcile my debts or to be loved by You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
