OUR SUBSTITUTE IN DEATH AND RESURRECTION BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOMEđ FREE 2023
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OVERVIEW
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him⊠(ISAIAH 53:5).
The Lord Jesus suffered and endured the pain and shame of the Cross, not because of His sins or for Himself, but for us.
He took our place and bore the punishment for sin on our behalf. While on the Cross, bearing the burden of our sins, He cried out in anguish, â
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?â (Mark 15:34).
God turned His back on Jesus because our sins were laid on Him. Habakkuk 1:13 tells us that God is holy and doesnât behold iniquity.
The separation from the Father, on account of our sins, was what Jesus never wanted, for which He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.
âFather, if you be willing, take this cup away from me, nevertheless not my will, but your will be doneâ (Matthew 26:39).
The Fatherâs will prevailed. Jesus died on the Cross, and descended into hell. He was put to grief. Upon taking all the punishment that was necessary, the Bible says He was justified in the Spirit (1 Timothy 3:16) and was raised back to life. He was raised to life for our justification: âWho was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justificationâ (Romans 4:25).
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To be justified means to be acquitted of guilt; to be declared righteous. He was our substitute in death as well as our substitute in resurrection. When He died, you died with Him; when He was buried, you were buried with Him.
When God raised Him from the dead, you were also raised together with Him in newness of life!
Now, youâre sin-free; at complete liberty to serve the Lord and live for Him in glory and righteousness. Youâve become not just righteous, but also the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Such a blessed reality!