SUFFERINGS AND DEATH OF CHRIST WON THE VICTORY

The sufferings and death of Christ bring about various reactions among people. It may be one of horror, sadness, surprise or disappointment. But, the Bible is very clear that the passion of Christ was not a defeat or not even a set back to God’s plan. Actually, thereby, victory was won and God’s eternal purpose in sending His Son to the world was gloriously accomplished.  

JESUS SUFFERED AND DIED ACCORDING TO GOD’S PLAN:

-God was not a helpless witness but was fully in control.

Peter says, “This man (Jesus) delivered by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.” (Acts 2:23).

-Christ’s suffering was not an after thought but was God’s eternal plan.

Many Old Testament passages such as, Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 clearly prophesy about the sufferings of Christ. The first prophecy was in Genesis 3:16.  Revelation 13:8 says, “…..whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of the Lamb who has been slain”.

-Christ’s death was typified by the Old Testament sacrifices.

The offering of animals as sacrifices in the Old Testament for the sins of people was symbolic of the Lamb of God who was to come. And He came in history as the true sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. (John 1:29).

-Jesus predicted His own suffering and death.

Jesus was fully aware of the purpose of His coming to this earth. As He ministered to the people, Jesus spoke to the disciples about His own sufferings and death on many occasions. (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:1).

JESUS VOLUNTARILY EXPERIENCED SUFFERING AND DEATH:

Jesus was not made to suffer against His will but He did so voluntarily. In John 10:14-18, Jesus mentions several times that He as the Good Shepherd has the authority to lay down His life on His own and to take it up again.    

HIS SUFFERING AND DEATH WERE REQUIRED BY GOD:

-God takes note of man’s sinfulness, “There is none righteous no not one.”  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10, 23).

-God pronounces death for sin. “The soul who sins will die.” (Ezekiel 18:4).

-God requires a blood sacrifice for sinners to be forgiven. “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrew 9:22).

-God gave the sacrificial system as a shadow of the good things to come and as a reminder of the need for a substitute. But, the blood of sacrificial animals could not make perfect those who offered them. (Hebrew 10:1).

-God provided His Son as the sinless substitute for sinners. “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).

-God’s provision is sufficient. “But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God……For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12, 14)

THE CROSS SHOWS THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD:

To the unbelieving world, the cross might seem like a sign of weakness and foolishness. “But to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (I Corinthians 1:24) God in His wisdom and power accomplished through the cross what man can never do. 

THE DEATH OF CHRIST DEFEATED THE DEVIL:

Through death Jesus had made the devil powerless and freed people from slavery to fear of death. Hebrews 2:14,15 “Therefore since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”  

JESUS DIED SO THAT SINNERS MIGHT LIVE:

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again from the dead.” (II Corinthians 5:14, 15).  

APPLICATION:

The cross does not represent any loss or tragedy but victory.

Those who live because Jesus died for them should live for Him.

We could live as victors because Christ has destroyed the devil’s power.