In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.– Colossians 1:14
Some theologians limit the purpose of Christ’s death on the cross to being an example of sacrificial love, an illustration of His words in John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus proved that such costly love was possible when He illustrated it by His own sacrificial action.
Jesus certainly was an example of love and other godly attributes as well–imitated by the apostles (1 Corinthians 11:1). But something more profound than an example happened on the cross: Jesus Christ paid a ransom price to redeem mankind out of the marketplace of slavery to sin (Galatians 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:6). The most important transaction in history took place: Jesus exchanged His innocent life for our sin-stained life, dying the death we deserved that we might, by God’s mercy, be spared the judgment we richly deserved. Because God was pleased with Christ in every way, the Cross turned away the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).
Take a moment today to thank God for the Day of the Cross and your redemption from sin.( Turning Point)
The heart of the gospel is redemption, and the essence of redemption is the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.
C. H. Spurgeon
