NOTE: the Necessity for the Shedding of Blood

Website: Studying the Word of God

Authors: Brian K. McPherson and Scott McPherson

Web Address (URL): biblestudying.net

How Jesus' Death Redeems Us

Introductory Text

Hebrews 2: 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Substitute or Ransom?

Hypothesis: Jesus suffers the penalty for our sin for us.

Question: What is the penalty/the consequences of sin?

Answer: Physical death, Spiritual death, Eternal death/damnation in Hell.)

Define the term death:

Separation: physical (temporary), spiritual (temporary), eternal spiritual separation but NOT physical separation

Hypothesis: We are exempted from punishment by means of Jesus suffering that punishment for us, then…

Questions:

1. How does one man’s singular death substitute satisfy individual death penalties for literally billions of persons? How is it that Jesus did not have to die for each one of us and so fulfill our individual death penalties one by one?

2. Does Jesus stand in as our substitute in spiritual death and eternal damnation in Hell? If he did not suffer these things in our place, how are we redeemed from these things?

3. How could Jesus undergo spiritual death and at the same time be God himself?

The problem: Jesus could not have suffered the consequence of spiritual death AND be God at the same time.

Summary: If our salvation is based upon substitution then Jesus could not have been God for he would have had to die spiritually (which involves separation from God) to save us from spiritual death.

Results of Hypothesis:

Either:

Jesus was not God.
Jesus did not suffer spiritual death. (In which case how is it that we are redeemed from spiritual death? This, in fact, leads to "c" BELOW.)
We are not saved by a manner, which simply has Jesus suffering the consequences of our sin in our place.

Of these, b and c are correct. Jesus did not die spiritually because he was, in fact, God. We are redeemed from these (spiritual death, eternal hell) even though Jesus did not suffer them in our place.

Conclusion:

1. Jesus did not suffer our penalty in our place.

2. He paid the price that was required to remove the penalty.

3. Jesus death does not save us as a substitute but, instead, as a ransom.

4. Jesus' death was a substitute ONLY in the sense that it was a ransom, and therefore, EITHER he could pay the ransom with his death OR we would suffer the due consequences. Only in this "either-or" sense does Jesus' physical death "substitute" for our suffering spiritual, physical, and eternal deaths (because if one did not take place, the other would.)

NOTE:The Necessity for the Shedding of Blood

While these articles on redemption deal directly and thoroughly with why physical death was necessary for salvation and exactly how JesusÕ physical death obtains salvation, it should also be noted that not only was physical death required but specifically a death involving the shedding of blood. Below are but a few of the passages that explain the necessity for a physical death involving the shedding of blood in order to obtain redemption from sin. It is an absolute Biblical fact that not only was it required for Jesus to die physically, but in order for us to be redeemed his physical death also had to involve shedding his blood.

Genesis 9:4-6, Genesis 42:21-22, Exodus 12:7-12, Exodus 30:10, Leviticus 5:9, Leviticus 16:15, 19, 27, Leviticus 17:11, 14, 2 Samuel 4:11, 2 Chronicles 29:24, Ezekiel 45:18-20, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, John 6:53-56, Acts 20:28, Romans 3:25, Romans 5:9, 1 Corinthians 11:25, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:13, Colossians 1:14, 20, Hebrews 9:7, 12-14, 18-22, 25, Hebrews 10:4, 19, 29, Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 13:11-12, 20, 1 Peter 1:2, 19, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:14, Revelation 12:11.

STUDY OUTLINE:

How does Jesus' physical death redeem us?

I. It removed the condemnation against us.

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Ephesians 2: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

How?

It removed the Law, which was the list of grievances.

Hebrews 7: 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Hebrews 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

How?

a. Jesus satisfied and fulfilled the ordinances of the Law when he died without sin.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:18 Matthew 5 Matthew 5:17-19 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Thus, the law could pass because what it required had come to pass. Jesus died without sin and thus without transgressing the Law. He died having fulfilled the Law.

Jesus' physical death removed the Law, which was the list of grievances.

How?

b. Jesus fulfilled the goal of the Law, what the Law itself was supposed to do but could not.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Commentary:

The goal of the Law was to bring perfection by demonstrating what was sinful.
However, in stating what was sinful, the Law was insufficient to compel men to stop sinning because it did not change their minds.
The death of Christ and the hope it brings are sufficient to motivate repentance and thus bring about perfection in those who believe.

Jesus' physical death removed the Law, which was the list of grievances.

How?

c. Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the Law, which was to lead us to faith in Christ, the faith Jesus finished authoring with his death on the cross.

Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Commentary:

The purpose of the Law, from God's perspective knowing that it would not bring about life through repentance, was to keep us until Christ and guide us to him.
Once Jesus finished authoring our faith by his obedient death, the purpose of the Law was fulfilled and the Law was no longer needed.

Jesus' physical death removed the Law, which was the list of grievances.

How?

d. Jesus replaced the Law with a new Law and Covenant established in perfection by his act of sacrifice, which is Love God wholly and love others as yourself.

Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…

What is the second Law, the Second Covenant? What is its commandment (singular)?

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

II John1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.