50 reasons why Jesus died – Part 1/5 – Passion week!

Over the course of this week I shall aim to re-post and post new reflections/summaries on John Piper’s book ’50 Reasons why Jesus Died’. For a short pre-amble to this series please see my earlier post here: http://somemusings.com/category/50-reasons-why-jesus-came-to-die/

He was the wrath bearer, who by God’s own love was humbled in obedience to be raised by the Father as a public display.

He died to save those who were His hostile enemies (that’s grace) because he loved us and so gave himself for us – who is the us? – all those who would believe in him, and call upon him for salvation!

He ‘nailed to the cross’ all the records that stood against us, for: ‘There is no salvation by balancing the records. There is only salvation by canceling records.’* He paid a ransom that none could pay, so that men may be made right with a perfectly just God. Sins forgiven, soul cleansed, “peace with God” is our clarion call!

‘If we believe in Christ, God no longer holds our sins against us’** – we are forgiven through the death of Christ! By identifying with him and being ‘buried’ with him we are then ‘resurrected’ with him – since we are now right in the sight of God. We are now declared in the courts of heaven to be – innocent! Forgiveness came and then we were made innocent in his sight. ‘We have now been justified by his blood.’ Romans 5:9.

 

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* a quote from page 33.

** a quote from page 36