At The Cross: Atonement

As I study God’s word I am constantly encouraged by all that God did for believers at the cross.  After a weekend of sharing the gospel at a ladies retreat I decided to dive into this subject a little deeper.  So over the next several months I will post something specific that God did for believers at the cross.

 

 Atonement.  Propitiation.  Appeasement.  These are the words used to describe the effects of Jesus’ shed blood.  But what do they mean?  How are they experienced?

We rarely begin, ok never begin, a conversation by talking about God’s wrath, but that does not mean it doesn’t exist.  Ephesians 5:6 says, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”  (see also Ps. 21:9, Lk. 21:23, Rom. 1:18, Rev. 6:16) The Bible makes it clear that because of people’s wickedness, rebellion, and sin, God will pour out His wrath on mankind.  He is holy.  He is perfect.  He is completely without sin which means He cannot, (not just won’t, but actually cannot), let sin go unpunished.  (If He did not punish sin, He would cease to be holy).  His holiness demands that He punish sin. 

So although we do not begin a friendship by talking about God’s wrath, talking about what He has done about His wrath just may make a friend for eternity.   You see, God will pour out His wrath because of sin, but He has offered propitiation to those who believe.  He has offered atonement.  He has made a way to have His wrath lifted from our lives.   

Propitiation (used in the Old Testament) or atonement (used in the New Testament) mean to “satisfy” or “appease.” (1) In the Old Testament propitiation referred to the lid on the ark of the covenant or “mercy seat.”  Once a year the high priest entered the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the blood of a ram on the “Mercy Seat” thus making atonement for his sins and those of the Israelites.  The blood satisfied God’s holy requirement and removed God’s wrath from the people.

I John says, “This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”  (See also Rom. 3:25, Heb. 2:17, I Jn. 2:2).  John makes it clear that Jesus’ blood is what makes atonement for our sins.  His shed blood appeases God’s wrath by satisfying His holiness.  “Through the ‘propitiatory’ sacrifice of Christ, he who believes upon Him is by God’s own act delivered from justly deserved wrath, and comes under the covenant of grace.” (2) God’s wrath is lifted from the believing sinner’s life because of the cross.  Because of the cross we can experience peace with God.  Because of the cross our lives can be changed for all of eternity.  Because of the cross we have great news to share with others.

1.  MacArthur, John.  The MacArthur Bible Commentary.  Nelson Reference and Electronic, Nashville, TN. 2005, pg. 1951.

2.  Vine, W.E. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.  Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN. 1996, pg. 493.