What Did Jesus’ Death Accomplish?
Jesus’ death on the cross is central to Christianity. For believers, it represents the ultimate act of sacrifice and salvation. But what exactly did his death accomplish? In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the significance and outcomes of Jesus’ crucifixion.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Jesus’ death served as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. It allowed for reconciliation between God and mankind. His crucifixion also exemplified selfless love and paved the way for the establishment of the New Covenant.
We’ll cover the historical context around Jesus’ crucifixion, the theological importance of his sacrifice, the effects it had on redemption and salvation, and how it enacted a new covenant between God and his followers.
With quotes from the Bible and analysis by theologians, this in-depth article will provide crucial context around one of the most pivotal events in Christian history.
Historical Context of Jesus’ Crucifixion
Jesus’ Ministry and Growing Tensions
Jesus of Nazareth began his public ministry around 30 AD, preaching a message of repentance and the coming kingdom of God. Through his teachings and miracles, Jesus quickly gained a large following in Galilee and Judea.
This concerned Jewish religious authorities who saw Jesus as a threat to their power and influence. Tensions mounted as Jesus denounced hypocrisy and challenged traditional interpretations of the Law. The turning point came when Jesus entered Jerusalem during Passover and overturned tables in the temple courtyard.
This provoked temple officials who began looking for ways to arrest and kill him.
Betrayal, Arrest, and Trial
After celebrating a final Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested by temple police in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was put on trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, on charges of blasphemy.
They declared him guilty but lacked authority for capital punishment, so Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Though Pilate found no basis for a death sentence, he bowed to pressure from Jewish leaders and crowds demanding execution.
After a severe flogging, Jesus was handed over to be crucified.
Details of Jesus’ Crucifixion
Jesus was crucified around 30-33 AD by Roman soldiers outside Jerusalem along with two criminals. This was a horrific form of execution used widely by Romans to punish rebels and criminals. Victims were nailed or tied to a wooden cross and left to die from exhaustion and asphyxiation over several days.
To hasten death, Jesus’ legs were broken by the soldiers. A bystander offered Jesus wine vinegar to drink before he shouted, “It is finished!” and died. His body was taken down and buried in a tomb offered by Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin who had secretly become a follower.
Jesus’ crucifixion fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant and was part of God’s plan of salvation for humanity.
Theological Significance of Jesus’ Sacrifice
Atoning Sacrifice for Sins
Jesus’ death on the cross served as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity (Romans 3:25). According to Christian theology, all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23).
So Jesus, who was sinless, died in the place of sinful people. He took the punishment they deserved. His sacrifice makes possible the forgiveness of sins for those who put their faith in Him.
Redemption and Salvation
In addition to providing atonement for sins, Jesus’ death provides redemption for humanity. To “redeem” means to “buy back.” Through His sacrificial death, Jesus purchased people’s freedom from slavery to sin, so that they could be reconciled with God (Colossians 1:13-14).
His death offers salvation as a free gift to all who believe in Him (Romans 6:23). Salvation means rescue from sin and its consequence of eternal separation from God. We can now have peace with God through faith in Christ (Romans 5:1).
God’s Love and Grace
Underlying Jesus’ atoning death on the cross is God’s immense love and grace toward humanity. The Bible teaches that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16). He showed His love by sending Jesus to die in our place while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
Grace means receiving something good that we don’t deserve. Through Jesus we can receive forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life with God—all gracious, undeserved gifts made possible by Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
Enacting a New Covenant
Problems with the Old Covenant
The old covenant had some key problems that made it ineffective in providing a permanent solution for sin and access to God. First, it was based on the imperfect sacrifices of animals that could never fully atone for human sin (Hebrews 10:4).
Second, the old covenant was dependent on human obedience to the law, which no one could fully keep (Galatians 3:10). Third, the sacrifices and ceremonies of the old covenant were external rituals that could not change people’s sinful hearts and provide inner transformation (Hebrews 9:9-10).
Promises of the New Covenant
In contrast, God promised a new covenant that would deal with sin definitively. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God said this new covenant would be internalized in people’s hearts and minds, providing true inner transformation (Jeremiah 31:33).
God would permanently forgive sin, remembering it no more (Jeremiah 31:34). This was only possible because Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, would offer himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sins once for all time (Hebrews 10:1-18).
Access to God through Christ
A key difference between the old and new covenants is access to God. Under the old covenant, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place where God’s presence dwelled, and only once a year (Hebrews 9:6-7). The temple curtain separated people from God’s presence.
But Jesus’ death tore that curtain in two, symbolizing that now all people can approach God’s throne boldly through Christ (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 4:16). Jesus serves as the permanent high priest who intercedes for us in God’s presence (Hebrews 7:23-25).
Through his sacrifice, Jesus opened up a “new and living way” for us to know and approach God (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jesus’ death by crucifixion was monumentally significant for several reasons. It served as an atoning sacrifice for sin, paving the way for salvation. His willingness to die exemplified perfect love.
And his resurrection verified him as the Messiah, enacting a new covenant between God and his followers.
While immensely difficult, Jesus’ crucifixion was part of God’s plan for redemption. It opened the door for reconciliation between God and humanity. For Christians, his sacrifice represents the central event of history and the core of their faith.
