"It's not a great sales pitch" is how I once characterised the gospel. Two thousand years ago, a virgin's son died and rose again, and he is the key to eternal life. There's no extra requirement to do anything special. Believing it doesn't mean you're suddenly a good person, and if you tried being good you would never be good enough.
And yet, this is what we preach: 'Christ crucified, a stumbling block for Jews and folly to Gentiles' (1 Corinthians 1:23). It is impossible to grasp for some, but the power of God to many. So why did Christ have to die?
I once discussed this topic with a bible-believing friend, a beloved brother in Christ, and his answer was to the effect that God could not create us in our redeemed state. We needed our free will, which inevitably led to rebellion, and our need for salvation. But I wasn't convinced by this view. It portrays God as impotent, unable to create a perfect and sinless creation. It wasn't until a few years later that I came to find a verse that I believe would tackle this logic:
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:17 ESV
Jesus had to become like us in every respect. He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and by one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, but by his obedience the many will be made righteous (Romans 5:19). Jesus is proof that Adam could have chosen not to sin. Our sinful state is not a necessary precursor to our glorified state.
Here's how the logic works:
If Jesus must become like Adam to face the same choice, then Adam must have been able to choose. Therefore if Jesus can choose not to sin, it must be true that Adam too could have chosen not to sin. The fall was not inevitable, even if the outcome was foreseeable. For this reason we can resolve the tension that God is sovereign over all things, yet we are responsible for our sin.
The Wrath of God
It's often jested that Old Testament God is hardcore. You don't mess with him. He drowns the world, burns people in a pillar of fire, sends plagues to kill firstborn children, and helps Israel slaughter countless foes. By contrast the New Testament focuses on loving your enemy, treating others how you would want to be treated, and turning the other cheek.
Let's say you have committed a crime and you were waiting for your court date. One person tells you that your trial is assigned a judge with a fiery wrath, but another person tells you that your judge is a loving father - chances are that you hope for the second one. You show up to your court date, unsure which judge your case is assigned, only to find that both people described the same judge.
The wrath and anger of God is evident in the New Testament. Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is tormented, flogged, nailed to a cross and mocked as he is suffocating. His punishment is substitutionary we are told, it is the sentence every one of us deserves for our crime. We rebelled against God, denied his existence, used his name in vain, destroy his world, and dishonour his people. It would be fair for him to not save any of us.
Nevertheless, He did not want us to suffer. Jesus died for the propitiation of our sins (1 John 2:2). That means he paid the price that satisfied and dealt with the wrath of God. Satisfied that the price had been paid in full, our judge, the Father, raised the Son and anyone who puts their trust in him (Romans 6:4).
Final Remarks
Jesus is our great high priest. Though the devil may raise accusation against us, Jesus intercedes and offers up sacrifice and prayer to the Father on our behalf.
The day of judgement is coming. He is slow to judge, not wishing any to face punishment. His salvation is for the whole world to hear; now is our time to repent and believe in the good news.
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