Saturday

Today the body of Jesus, sacrificed for the sins of the world, lies secure in a rich man's tomb. Jesus had completed His mission to come and die for the sins of the world. Today we reflect on just a few of the profound things that Jesus' death accomplished...

Jesus' death paid the penalty for sin. Scripture says we "all have sinned and fall short of God's glory" (Romans 3:23) and that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) Taken together, these two scriptures mean that we all face the spiritual death penalty. Jesus' death was substitutionary - he died in our place to pay the penalty for our sin.

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24)

Jesus' death was the final sacrificial offering for sin. Throughout centuries of Old Testament history, sacrifices were used to "cover" the sins of the priests and the people. Scripture expalins that these sacrifices were an interim measure until the final sacrifice could be made - the sacrifice of Jesus - once, for all.

"Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:11-12)

Jesus' death satisfied God's demand for justice. The combination of God's perfect righteousness and our sinfulness creates a problem; God's justice demands that something be done about it. When it comes to sin, God cannot just "look the other way". When Jesus paid the penalty for sin He satisfied God's demand for justice.

"He Himself is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

Jesus' death makes access to God possible. During the hours of darkness yesterday a remarkable thing happened in the Temple: the veil which guarded the Holy of Holies supernaturally tore from top to bottom. Remember that the Holy of Holies, containing the Ark of the Covenant, was the dwelling place for the Glory of God. The veil that set it apart was very substantive - some 60 feet long, 30 feet wide and about as thick as the palm of the hand. Access to the Holy of Holies was limited to once per year, when only the High Priest could enter to present the sacrifice for the sins of the people. The tearing of the veil provides a powerful picture that Jesus' death provides direct access to God.

"since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:19-22)

In summary, Jesus' death makes it possible for us to be reconciled to God. To reconcile means to take care of the problems that separate two parties. Jesus' death took care of everything necessary to reconcile us to God, making it possible fo rus to have a personal relationship with God. Sharing this good news is called a ministry of reconciliation, as expressed in one of Paul's letters:

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

How are we reconciled? How do we come into personal relationship with God? We do that by accepting...by believing...by receiving for ourselves what Jesus did for us. Scripture puts it very simply:

"to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12)

Today is Saturday and the body of Jesus, sacrificed for the sins of the world, lies secure in a rich man's tomb. But remember - Sunday is coming!!!!