Notes From the Pastor's Desk
February 23, 2025
Words That Describe Calvary
Read 1 Pet. 3:18. The blood and sufferings of Jesus took place that He might bring us to God. Christ's death was portrayed and pictured through the types and shadows of the Old Testament. They were the very image of things that were to come. The type would later have its fulfilment in the anti-type. Consider these important words that should make you better appreciate Jesus' work for us.
I. The Word “Atonement”
Rom. 5:11. It has the idea of at-one-ment. It suggests the reconciliation or restoration of friendly relations between God and sinners. The actual Hebrew word means “a covering.” God covered the sins of the Old Testament saints by the blood of the sacrifice. In the New Testament the Bible speaks of a complete restoration not a temporal covering for one year. The only place you find it in the N.T. is Rom. 5:11 where it has in mind complete and final restoration to God.
II. The Word “Mediator”
1 Tim. 2:5. A mediator is one who acts between two people. God brought about our salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our mediator. He is called the Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 12:24). Christ through His death, secured for me and you the better promises made by God in that covenant.
III. The Words “Made Sin”
2 Cor. 5:21. Christ was made a sin offering. Our sins were imputed to Him. He suffered for them as our substitute. He had no sin but He bore ours. He suffered for our sins that we might have the righteousness of God imputed to our account in heaven. He bore our sins that we could be made His righteousness.
IV. The Words “Made A Curse”
Gal. 3:13. How was Christ made a curse? When our sins were imputed to Him, He was involved in the curse because of them. He bore the curse of sin that He might deliver us from it. The wages of sin is death. When Jesus bore our sins, the penalty of the law was fully dismissed. Now we can be justified.
V. The Word “Propitiation”
1 Jn. 2:2; 4:10. The word is rendered “mercy seat” in Heb. 9:5. It was at the Mercy Seat that man could meet God because the blood that was sprinkled on that seat. A synonym for “propitiation” is “satisfaction.” When it comes to our sins, through Christ, God is satisfied by the blood of Calvary (1 Jn. 2:2).
VI. The Word “Reconciliation”
Heb. 2:17. That simply means peace was made where there was hostility and enmity. Peace was made through the blood of Christ's cross (Col. 1:20).
VII. The Word “Redemption”
Heb. 9:12. It means to deliver by payment of a price. The “ransom” was the price that was paid. Christ is our ransom that satisfies God the Father.
VIII. The Word “Substitute”
2 Cor. 5:21. The words “substitute” and “substitution” are not found in the Bible but the idea is there. Christ took our place as a substitute for our sins. The Head died for all of the members of the body.
IX. The Word “Surety”
A “surety” is one who makes himself responsible for the liability of another. Jesus became a surety for His people and discharged upon the cross our liability.