The Priest, the Sacrifice, and the Sinner. Three parties, one goal: the forgiveness of sins. Most of us with a basic knowledge of the work of Christ readily recognize Jesus as our Priest; the one who represents us to God. We even more readily recognize Jesus as the sacrifice. What we fail to understand is that in the sacrifice of His body Jesus also fills the role of the sinner. "He made Him who knew no sin, to become sin on our behalf." II Corinthians 5:17
In that moment on the cross Jesus received in Himself the sin of the world and was put to death as a punishment for that sin. He died the guilty party. For a brief time, His own Father had to turn from Him. The sin that I commit; the sin that has condemned me; has no power over me. Why? Because the penalty that I deserve has already been paid. There is no further penalty before God. Sin has been beaten, defeated, overcome once and for all.
In Galatians 2:20 Paul states "I was crucified with Christ, I no longer live." He is not attempting to pull a fast one; he is speaking the truth. His sinful nature was put to death on the cross with Christ. "But the life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God." When I believe and receive the promise of life from Christ; I am spiritually united with Him. Along with being united, I now share in all the benefits that He gained as the sinless Son. Through spiritual union, my sinful self did indeed die, and now I live with His righteousness present in me. I have the perfect righteousness of GOD!!! Amazing!
The God that we serve was willing to lay down His life, so that we could have life through union with Him. There is no greater truth, no greater mystery, no higher wisdom than this: Christ's eternal love.
Amazed continually,
Aaron
