THE EXTENT OF CHRIST'S DEATH

“And being found in fashion as a Man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” -PHILIPPIANS 2:8 [KJV]

The law of God required one thing, exact obedience to its precepts, a standard that has not been lowered through the passing of time. God can never be satisfied with anything less than perfection. Moreover, the penalty for transgressing His law – death – has not changed either. When Christ came in the stead of His chosen people, He lived in perfect conformity to the law’s requirements.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law” [GALATIANS 4:4-5]. When circumcised the eighth day, Christ obligated Himself to keep the entire law. “For I testify again to ever man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law” [GALATIANS 5:3]. As the perfect Man, He loved God with all His heart, mind, soul and strength and loved His neighbor as Himself. “...I do always those things that please Him” [JOHN 8:29].

His obedience to God would not be complete, however, apart from His substitutionary death. The penalty for the sins of His people must be carried out; justice demanded satisfaction for our transgressions which had been imputed to the Savior. We know that the Son of God had assumed responsibility for the salvation of His people in the covenant of grace and the law’s demand was clear: “the soul that sinneth shall die” [EZEKIEL 18:4]. The Substitute of sinners must suffer the just retribution for the sins of His people. It was, therefore, by His death that sins were removed. It is written that everlasting righteousness was brought in when Messiah was cut off, not for any sins of His own, but for the sins of those in whose stead He died [DANIEL 9:24-26].

We are made the righteousness of God in Him by His death [II CORINTHIANS 5:21]. The sacrifice of Christ was the culmination of His obedience to the Father. He willingly laid down His life, “the Just for the unjust to bring us to God” [I PETER 3:18]. The sword of vengeance pierced His heart; divine wrath was poured out upon His soul so that God could justify the ungodly without the least compromise to His holy demands. Was His obedience unto death effectual to the putting away of sin? Did He make full compensation to offended law and justice? His resurrection, ascension and enthronement stand as lasting testimonies that He finished the work of redemption and completely satisfied the legal demands of the Father for the salvation of His people.

-Gospel report by preacher Jim Byrd