The Substitutionary Death of Jesus: Answers to Biblical Questions Part 4

As discussed toward the latter part of part three, the need for mankind to be reconciled to peace and fellowship with the God of all creation was revealed to us in the third chapter of Genesis when Adam and Eve chose to disobey the Lord's command. Immediately, we can learn four important truths and see the first prophecy of the coming Messiah.

As soon as Adam and Eve sinned against God, their consciences spoke loud and clear and their first response was to try to "cover" their sin, by working to make coverings for themselves out of fig leaves.

"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees in the garden."

It is evident that covering their outward appearance did nothing for the guilt (Nakedness in spirit) they felt in their heart and mind because they still felt the need to hide. God pursues Adam and calls out to him by saying, "Where are you?" This is not because God doesn't know where Adam is, but it is evidence of a loving Father gently wooing his child to come out of his hiding place. Adam responds to God, but instead of owing up to his choice, he blames God by saying, "The woman whom You gave to be with me…"- and the blame game begins.

As God continues His conversation with Adam and Eve, He tells them the exact consequences of their sin not only for humanity, but also for all of creation – because God gave man dominion over all the earth.

"Therefore, as through one man's offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's [Jesus] righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life." Romans 5:18

"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subject to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." Romans 8:19 – 21.

Just before God concludes His conversation with the couple, He does something interesting, "Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skins and clothed them." Genesis 3:21.

What is the purpose – why did God sacrifice an innocent animal to make clothing for them. They already made coverings for themselves. The message was clear and further revealed throughout the rest of Genesis, through the prophets, into the New Testament, and through the book of Revelation; Man can never work to make up for their sin. Our works in sinful flesh will not appease a Holy and Righteous God, so God Himself provided the only acceptable sacrifice.

"But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because of His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:21 -26

When God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, He set up laws designed to protect them and set them apart as an example of holy living. He gave them the sacrificial laws that were designed to make atonement for their sin and they were to be an example and a teacher to the surrounding nations. The history recorded for us in the Bible as well as secular history shows us that the entire world has always understood and practiced various systems of sacrifice to atone for their sin to appease God – proving no matter what culture, every human being has a conscience, which the Bible says, was and is given by the Creator God. The book of Leviticus details the requirements for unspotted animals as an acceptable sacrifice – we also learn of the scapegoat – this is a study all its own, yet I mention it here so that as we move into the Scriptures from the book of Hebrews you can get a glimpse of the connection.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is God in the flesh – the God-Man. 100% God and 100% man. This is important because the acceptable sacrifice in God's sight must be perfect and without spot. God's requirement of perfection required that He himself would be the only one who could atone for the sin of man. Isaiah the Prophet recorded the words and vision he received from God regarding Jesus being the Messiah some 700 years before it would happen. The book of Isaiah is one of many, especially chapter 53, prophetical books that reveal the great work of the coming Messiah and leave no room for doubt that it is Jesus of whom he speaks.

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give a sign: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:1, 14

Jesus declared Himself to be the Son of God and one with the Father, and He claimed that the only way to get to the Father was through Him. In the book of Revelation, He declares to be the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, which confirms He is God in the flesh in that in the book of Isaiah, God proclaims He is the one and only God.

The Apostle John, in the book of 1 John, declares again that The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One – Triune in nature confirming Genesis chapter one and Colossians chapter two where we are told that Jesus is the express image of the Godhead in bodily form.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1 -2

"But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place, once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:11-14

"For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account." Hebrews 4:12

"…God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angles, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4 – 7

This is the message of the entire Bible – Christianity may have gotten its title after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but it started in Genesis chapter three.

Thank you for staying with me, there is much more to say about the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. I welcome further discussion in the comments and just as the first three parts state, this is for informational purposes so that others may know why many Bible believing Christians believe the way they do.

For further information related to this topic, please view the following – Perhaps they will answer a few questions or generate further discussion.  

© Teresa Ortiz