2 Corinthians 5:21 "Jesus Our Savior"

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ~2 Corinthians 5:21

As we discussed last week, we are fallen beings who are in need of a Savior. Without someone to pay the price for our sins, we cannot be in relationship with God because He cannot condone sin. Someone must pay the price. That someone was Jesus Christ. The Almighty chose to come down from His throne humbling Himself into the human body of His creation.

And as the sacrificial Lamb, He paid a dear price. His body was severely beaten then placed on a cross. His torturers drove iron nails through His hands and feet; pierced His side with a spear. Christ’s death was horrific, but the Lamb went suffered willingly for you and me. His grace-filled gift is our life renewed.

Within the arms of Jesus, we not only have salvation, but protection and guidance. He has given us life and shown us how to live. As our Lord, we are safe in His arms.

Further Thoughts:

1. Why did the chief priests arrest Jesus? How did God use their sin to His own purpose?
2. Read an account of Jesus’ crucifixion in John 19:16-30. Write your thoughts on His sacrifice.
3. Compare and contrast the death of Christ compared to the sacrifices of the Old Testament.
4. What completes Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and separates Him from all the other gods that man worships? (HINT: See John 20:1-9)

Lord, You endured such horrors for me. Thank You for Your grace and sacrifice which passes all understanding. Amen.

Matthew 27:57-28:15 "The Greatest Event; The Greatest Coverup"

Read Matthew 27:57-28:15.

"He is not here, for he has risen, as he said." NIV

Jesus' sacrifice would not be complete without His resurrection. His sacrifice in taking our sins upon Himself would have no value without overcoming the death those sins caused. Christ, as Deity, overcame sin and death for us to have freedom from both for all time.

In contrast, the elders and chief priests tried to cover up the missing body by paying off the guards. Their hypocrisy and deceptive spirits have no limits. They will do anything to have their way.

The priests did all to protect themselves, but Christ did all to protect us. We can still choose to follow the path of the priests, but why would we want to? I choose to serve the one who loves me enough to sacrifice Himself for me yet is powerful enough to conquer death. Is that the God you choose to serve?

Thank You, Lord, for Your amazing sacrifice and power over death. You are the great I AM, and I am not. I will always choose to follow and serve You.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read these accounts in the other three gospels. How do they compare with Matthew's viewpoint?
2. Compare and contrast the choice between following the priests' example and following Christ.
3. Give thanks for the power that raised Christ from the dead. What New Testament Scripture tells us that we possess that same power?

Matthew 20:17-19 "Truth Revealed, Yet Hidden"

Read Matthew 20:17-19.

"Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them...." NIV

This little passage absolutely amazes me. It is packed full of prophesy, all about Jesus, and it all comes true just as He says. Now I'm not amazed that Jesus could make these predictions, after all He is God. But what boggles my mind is 1) the disciples did not have any reactions and 2) that people today can still not believe that Jesus is who He says He is.

After Jesus' declaration to His disciples, there is no response, reaction, argument, nothing from His men. In Luke's account of this, he notes in Luke 18:34 that the disciples did not understand -- it's meaning was hidden from them. Hidden by whom? Satan? Surely not God since God just told them what was going to happen. Some commentators say the disciples were ignorant of the prophesies. I would doubt that. They should have been raised with the Torah teaching and thus be aware of the prophesies for the Messiah's coming and His suffering. Others say that the disciples had no sense of the weight of the words Jesus was speaking. The third commentary I read made the most sense where the disciples' concept of the prophesy did not match up in their minds with the way they saw Jesus working in the lives of the people. The two concepts simply would not mesh. Therefore, the meaning was hidden from them not by ignorance, but by needing to see outside of their paradigm. They could believe Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of Man. But to take the stretch to believe that the prophesies would apply to Him was just too much for them to comprehend.

So how can people today not believe Jesus is who He says He is? Here is a man whose life under three accounts written about Him, predicted His own betrayal when He is handed over to the chief priests. The fact that they would condemn Him to death and turn Him over to the secular authorities. That He would be flogged and crucified. And here's the clincher, 2 days later he'd come back to life. What are the odds of listing all those events beforehand and they all come true. The odds must be astronomical. Yet so many still don't believe.

Does following Christ take steps of faith? Absolutely. But simply looking at the facts covers more ground than anyone else ever accomplished claiming the position of Deity. And yet today, for so many, the meaning is still hidden.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up the prophesies in the Old Testament about Jesus' betrayal, death, and resurrection.
2. Why do people still not believe today? What is keeping the truth hidden from them? Support with Scripture.