THE PRICE OF SIN
By: Frank Tunstall D. Min.
God’s way called for shedding the sacrificial blood of His Son to cover the sins of all mankind who repent with Godly sorrow. Without the shedding of Jesus’ blood there would be no remission of sins” (Hebrews 9:22, 27). The world’s way demanded “fig leaves” (Genesis 3:7).
Think about it: There is a depth of self-righteousness evil enough to kill God if it were possible. The question follows. Why did Jesus have to die? Jesus of Nazareth, Mary’s Baby and God’s Son is the only person in human history with sinless standing before God the Heavenly Father (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15). He is the one Person who could become the High Priest and make the perfect sacrifice to redeem man back to God. Jesus willingly did it.
He paid a debt He did not owe.
I owed a debt I could not pay.
I needed someone to wash my sins away.
And now I sing a brand new song, “Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay. By: Ellis J. Crum
Another question follows: why did Jesus have to die by crucifixion? Citizens of the Roman Empire who committed capital crimes were executed by beheading. Among the Jews, stoning was the penalty for capital crimes. The common penalty that awaited rebellious slaves, thieves, and other such criminals was death by crucifixion, preceded by a brutal flogging.
Think about it: Jesus volunteered to save even the worst of the worst.
Would not a less cruel death have worked just as well? The answer is “No.” The brutal death Jesus died defines the utter evil of sin, and wise is the person who has the same opinion as God about the seriousness of his sins. Jesus died in our place; His hanging on His cross is the masterpiece portrait of all time that defines how awful sinful rebellion against God really is. Jesus died a death cruel enough to cover the sins of any evil person anywhere in the world; no one is left out.
The cross also defines the great love of God (John 3:16). Jesus loves us so much He was willing to pay, not a discounted price but the full price sin demanded. Yes, sin is as bad as the cross says it is, and the cross of Jesus is as rich in grace and forgiveness as the cross says it is.
Satan began to throw all his weapons at Jesus when He was arrested, and the capstone of Lucifer’s evil was nailing the Lord to a crude cross. The Apostle John said, “the reason Jesus came was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:13-15).
It meant the battle was joined.
Did Satan think he had won the victory when Jesus died? Perhaps, but I doubt it. Is it not reasonable Lucifer knew Jesus had won when it became certain Jesus would not come down from the cross? The minions, the demons in hell, might have celebrated some, but I think it was a shallow party that greatly lacked enthusiasm.
Jesus did stay on His cross until His death. In doing so He made provision to take away the sins of all people worldwide who repent with Godly sorrow. It also meant Satan was “weighed in the balances and found wanting,” and the devil knew it (Daniel 5:27). Yes, a great judgment day is ahead (John 16:11). Indeed! “The wicked will be cast into hell and all nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17), while the righteous will enjoy “everlasting life” with God in heaven (John 3:16).
How deep the Father’s love for us;
How vast beyond all measure.
That He should give His only Son,
To make a wretch His treasure.
Author unknown to me.
