The Death Of Jesus Christ

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Galatians 3; Lord's Day 15
Psalters: 139, 321, 91, 29
  1. The death.
    1. What is physical death and what is the meaning of the grave and the burial of the body?
      1. Experientially death is the complete dissolution or end of our earthly existence.
      2. And the grave seals it, indicating that there is no return.
    2. Death is NOT a normal process, but a violent intervention of God as punishment.
    3. Jesus voluntarily (obediently) died – a most unique feature of His death.
      1. Jesus willingly obeyed (Phil. 2:8b); He performed the act of dying.
      2. As an act of perfect obedience in the love of God, He accepted God’s just judgment against sin (John 10:18).
  2. The extent of the death of the Son of God.
    1. The death of the Son of God was a crucifixion, which meant that He was cursed of God.
    2. Jesus burial was necessary because the grave is a part of the whole experience of death.
      1. Jesus was buried to show that He experienced and conquered every part of death.
      2. Because Jesus had finished the payment for sin, His body saw no corruption or decay in the grave (Ps. 16:10).
    3. Jesus’ descension into hell also shows the extent of His death.
      1. Jesus did not literally go to the place called hell after his death.
      2. This expression, while not to be taken literally, expresses the reality of Christ’s suffering and the horror of sin.
  3. Its benefits and comfort.
    1. Jesus’ death was the only and the most perfect sacrifice for sin.
      1. The Bible uses a variety of terms to express Christ’s atoning death: sacrifice, propitiation, reconciliation, redemption.
      2. His sacrifice completely satisfied God’s justice with respect to all of our sin, so no other sacrifice is ever again necessary.
    2. The practical significance of Jesus’ death.
      1. We are cleansed from the guilt of our sins (justification), so we have peace with God.
      2. And we are cleansed from the power of our sins, so sin no longer has the right to reign over us (Rom. 6).
      3. Further, Jesus’ victory means that He has taken the sting out of death for all His own.