The Substitutionary Atonement of Jesus

The Law could not bring justice or victory.

The Law illuminates the transgression.

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.Romans 3:19-20

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.Romans 7:7

The Law condemns.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.Galatians 3:10

God’s law commands righteousness, but it cannot provide the means to achieve that righteousness.

The incarnation of the Word was the beginning of our liberation.

While Jesus was fully man, He never stopped being fully God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.John 1:1

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.John 1:14

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Philippians 2:6-8

Jesus was made in the likeness of sinful man, but never sinned.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Hebrews 4:15

The death of Jesus brought justice and victory over sin.

Jesus’ death destroyed sin and death.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;Hebrews 2:14

Jesus became the substitutionary sacrifice for our justification.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.2 Corinthians 5:21

The death of sin and the indwelling of the Spirit gives us the ability to follow after righteousness.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.Romans 6:6-7

To follow Jesus’ example of righteousness, we must have His life and His Spirit.

Jesus took the wrath of God in our place. We refer to this as the penal substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ.

While Jesus never sinned, He bore our sins in His own body.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.1 Peter 2:24

Jesus took the curse of sin and death upon Himself.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.Isaiah 53:4-6

Christ’s death satisfies God’s justice, allowing forgiveness.

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.Romans 3:25-26

Penal Substitutionary Atonement

The wrath of God was kindled against our sin, and so Christ was set forth as a propitiation to bear that wrath in our place.

The guilt of our sin demanded the penalty of death, and so the Lamb of God was slain as an expiatory sacrifice on our behalf.

The pollution of our sin alienated us from God and aroused his holy enmity against us, and so by atoning for sin Christ has reconciled God to man.

Obedient to sin, man was in bondage to sin through the law that exposed sin in our lives, and so Christ has paid the ransom price of his precious blood to God the Father in order to redeem us from such slavery.

In doing so, he has plundered Satan’s house, conquering death and its captain by the exercise of his own power.

To overcome our sin, we must not simply follow rules, but walk in the Spirit.

We could never repay Christ’s sacrifice, but we can live lives of gratitude that are worthy of the price He paid.

We must remember if Jesus had not taken our place, we would be under God’s wrath for eternity.