The Purpose of His Passion

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Peter 3:18Adrian Rogers says, “Calvary was not only the Earth’s greatest tragedy, but it was God’s greatest triumph.”Seven hundred years before Jesus Christ suffered and died upon the cross for our sins, the purpose of His passion was prophesied in Isaiah 53.“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).First, we must recognize the substitutionary purpose of the Cross.Jesus died on the cross as our substitute. Our sinfulness separates us from our Holy God. There is no possible way for a just God to overlook our unjust sin. In order to punish sin, yet love the sinner at the same time, God sent His son, Jesus, to reconcile the world. There is a river of blood that runs all the way from Genesis to Revelation, in which God atoned for our sins through sacrifice. Jesus became that final, perfect sacrifice for our sins.Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation does not come by learning lessons from the life of Christ, but by receiving life from the death of Christ.”Second, we see the suffering passion of the Cross.1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit…” Jesus suffered emotionally; before He faced the cross, Jesus asked God that “if it be possible, let this cup pass…” (Matthew 26:39). The cup is a metaphor for taking on the pollution and punishment of sin. Jesus faced immense physical suffering upon the cross; He died in utter agony in order to satisfy God’s wrath.But praise God, at the end of Jesus’ suffering, we see the settled provision of the cross; in His final moments, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” This statement means our sins were paid for in full.Finally, we understand the saving power of the Cross.Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have been brought to God, made alive by His Spirit.Apply it to your lifeDo you believe in Jesus Christ, whose death atones for our sins, brings us to God, and makes us alive? Remember His passion and the purpose of the cross; share your faith with others today.