Jesus' Death

Review

GOD, THE GOOD RULER AND CREATOR

Revelation 4:11 “11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.””

Summary

God is the ruler of the world.

He made the world.

He made us to rule his good world, giving thanks and honor to him.

OUR REBELLION AGAINST GOD

Isaiah 53:6a “6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;

Summary

We all reject God as our ruler by running our own lives our own way.

By rebelling against God’s way, we damage ourselves, each other, and the world.

GOD'S JUSTICE

Hebrews 9:27 “27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,”

Summary

God won’t let us rebel against him forever.

God’s punishment for rebellion is death and judgment.

New Concept

GOD SENT JESUS TO DIE FOR US

Isaiah 53:6 “6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Summary

Because of his love, God sent his Son into the world: the man Jesus Christ.

Jesus always lived under God’s rule.

But Jesus took our punishment by dying in our place.

The Crux of the Gospel

Read Isaiah 53:3-12.

What did you notice that the “servant” does or has done to him for the sake of others?

What is God’s role in this? What actions does he take?

What consequences or outcomes flow from the actions of the servant? (for others? for the servant?)

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

According to verses 14-17 what was happening when Christ died? What do you think this means?

According to verse 15 and verse 17 What was the purpose or outcome of this?

In verses 18-10. how do these verses describe what God achieved through Christ’s death and how he achieved it?

The third description of Christ’s death is in verse 21. How is it similar to or different from the other descriptions? What do you think it adds?

Key Concepts

Jesus and God

We cannot understand or explain the death of Jesus without affirming that Jesus is God’s own son.

He must be God to make atonement for more than just himself.

He must be God so that the atonement is not unjust. He is one with the Father so God is taking the punishment of our sin on himself rather than placing it on some third party.

Jesus and Humanity

Jesus must be man to represent humanity.

Jesus was the man who always lived under God’s rule (see point 1)

The Heart of the Cross

Jesus is our substitute: He stood in our place

Jesus made propitiation: Be satisfied God’s demands and turned aside his anger

What do you think is the most difficult thing for people to accept about the cross?

Alternatives

Jesus death is our example of self-sacrifice.

Jesus death shows how bad sin is.

Jesus death restores us.

Jesus death defeats the powers of the this world.

Next Week

JESUS, THE RISEN RULER AND SAVIOR

1 Peter 1:3 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Summary

God raised Jesus to life again as the ruler and judge of the world.

Jesus has conquered death, now brings forgiveness and new life, and will return in glory.