“he Did What We Could Not Do” Series

sinlessness that puts me here.” - Derick Bingham

“For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” - Hebrews 9:14b (NLT)

2. He died a sacrificial death - “even death on a cross”

The word “even” emphasizes the shame and cruelty of death by way of the cross. In his article on The Death of Jesus, found in the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Joel B. Green, says, “Among the torturous penalties noted in the literature of antiquity, crucifixion was particularly heinous. The act itself damaged no vital organs, nor did it result in excessive bleeding. Hence, death came slowly, sometimes after several days, through shock or a painful process of asphyxiation as the muscles used in breathing suffered increasing fatigue. Often, as a further disgrace, the person was denied burial and the body was left on the cross to serve as a carrion for the birds or to rot. Crucifixion was quintessentially a public affair. Naked and affixed to a stake, cross or tree, the victim was subjected to savage ridicule by frequent passersby, while the general populace was given a grim reminder of the fate of those who assert themselves against the authority of the state.”

This raises a question. Why did Jesus die on a cross? Well, just as earthly authorities had a message in mind when they nailed criminals to a cross, God the Father had a message in mind when His plan for the rescue of the human race called for Jesus to die on a cross. The fact that Jesus died on a cross in paying the price for our sin tells us that:

A. He took on our guilt -

Crucifixion was a means of execution for those who were guilty. Now, as we have already mentioned, Jesus was sinless and perfect in every way. Thus, His sacrifice was one that would satisfy the righteousness and holy standard of God. But He took on our guilt as He offered

Himself in our place, thus satisfying the justice of God, which demands that punishment must be meted out to those who are guilty.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21a (NKJV)

B. He took on our shame - The shame associated with being guilty was assumed by our Savior when He hung on the cross.

C. He took on our burden - The burden of the guilty is that they must bear their punishment. Jesus took our punishment. He bore our burden, so that we would not have to.

D. He took on our curse - The Jews viewed death on a cross as a sure sign that the individual so crucified was accursed by God.

Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 21:23 when he tells us: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” - Galatians 3:13 (NIV)

Conclusion: As we reflect on the price God has paid through Jesus Christ on the cross, we might conclude by thinking about all His sacrifice has made possible for you and me. With this being the Christmas season, we might even think of the cross as being God’s Christmas tree, under which are found various gifts made possible by the price that was paid at Calvary.