Thru the Gospel of John Загвар

The meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Our Lord Jesus’ death can be viewed from several viewpoints. 

From God’s standpoint, the cross was where full payment for sin was made so that a holy and righteous God could reach down and save sinners. God’s judgment throne becomes a mercy seat, because Jesus bore our guilt and paid our debt.

From the Lord Jesus’ standpoint, the cross is obedience, a sweet-smelling savor as He made Himself an offering. 

From a believer’s standpoint, Jesus took our place. The One who was sinless suffered for the sinner. The One who was just suffered for the unjust. 

From Satan’s standpoint, Jesus’ death was both a triumph from Genesis 3:15 and a defeat, now as the head of the serpent is crushed. 

From the world’s standpoint, the death of Jesus was nothing but a brutal murder. 

The Gospel of John doesn’t give us a picture of the crucifixion at all—only that two others were crucified with Him and it was outside the city. Little did people realize that in each detail of the horrible ordeal, they were fulfilling 28 Old Testament prophecies. 

What is the Gospel? That Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. These are the great, central facts of the Gospel. 

Do you believe this? Do you trust in Jesus Christ and believe He died in your place? Do not delay answering this question before God. 

After Jesus was pronounced dead, two secret disciples, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, asked permission from Pilate to take down Jesus’ body. They had a lot to lose to identify themselves as Jesus’ disciples, yet at this precarious time when the 11 disciples had scattered, Joseph and Nicodemus came out in the open. Joseph had a new tomb where Jesus could be buried. 

On Sunday, Mary Magdalene arrived first at Jesus’ tomb to finish caring for His body. It was still dark, but she saw the stone rolled away from the tomb’s entrance. She didn’t imagine Jesus was raised from the dead but thought someone had moved His body. She left to tell Peter and John, and they went to investigate. They didn’t go to the graveyard looking for the living, either. They expected to find a dead body. 

So, John and Peter ran to Jesus’ tomb. John’s first look at the evidence in the empty tomb convinced Him that Jesus was back from the dead. He saw (literally, “inspected the evidence”) and believed (20:8). 

Peter and John went home, but Mary Magdalene stayed, weeping at the tomb. Then she looked in for the first time and saw two angels sitting where Jesus’ body had lain. And if that wasn’t shock enough, she turned around and saw Jesus standing behind her. She didn’t recognize Him—perhaps because she did not believe He was back from the dead. All that was needed to convince her that it was Jesus was Him saying her name. 

Mary recognized her Lord and Master and ran to Him. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can now do the same! Jesus made a way. 

Next, have breakfast with Jesus and His disciples.

Question:  Write down something that stands out to you (again) by reading this part of Scripture. How can you apply ‘mercy’ and your faith in Jesus’ victory your daily life?