Friday 27th March
Read Romans 3:25-26
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished 26 – he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (NIVUK)
Jesus is the sacrifice of atonement, the One in whom we are justified and the demonstration of God’s righteousness. The personal nature of the death of Jesus for our sins is often made central to our understanding of what occurred on the cross. Paul clearly argues that the cross is a demonstration of the justice of God.
This occurs in two ways. First, Jesus’ death demonstrates God is righteous by showing that He did not forget or even tolerate the sins committed beforehand. God was patient and dealt with those sins finally and fully by sending His Son. They were not overlooked, they were dealt with later.
Second, God demonstrates His righteousness by bearing Himself the judgment we deserve today. Sin has been handled in the past, present and future. God is thus just and seen to be just. The cross of Jesus demonstrates that God takes sin seriously – and always has. How does this truth help you understand why it seems like people get away with things that are inherently abhorrent?
