THE ESSENCE OF HIS VICARIOUS DEATH
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living (Romans 14:9). For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living
(Romans 14:9).
The Bible lets us know that God laid our sins, along with our sicknesses and diseases on Jesus. He became that brazen serpent Moses raised up in the wilderness, which He Himself had prophesied about “…as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14). The brazen serpent represented sin and its judgment. He died on the cross, and to confirm He was truly dead, a soldier thrust a spear through His side, causing blood and water to gush out. Suddenly, the rocks began to crack; the earth heaved and quaked, and darkness eclipsed the earth for three hours. Jesus was dead!
He had been made “sin”: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin…” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He descended into hell. He engaged Satan and his cohorts in a spiritual combat, defeated them, and made a public spectacle of them. Jesus triumphed over Satan for all humanity! After three days, the Son of God came out of the grave victorious. Now, all who believe in Him and confess Him as Lord, become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), with the eminent title of being His “brothers and sisters” (John 20:17).
This is what Easter means to us; it’s the celebration of the significance of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; He came to die that we may live. Following His vicarious death for us, we’re now bona fide children of God, superior beings, born with His very nature and life! Halleluiah!
Further Study:
Hebrews 2:10;
Colossians 2:10-13