What really happened on the cross? To understand, we really need to go back to Genesis. In Gen 2:16-17, God gave Adam stewardship over the entire earth and blessed him with the enjoyment of every tree in the garden, except one. He was prohibited from eating the fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil – one specific tree. The consequences: in the day that you eat from it, you shall surely die. What did that mean?
The answer comes from the next chapter. Sadly Adam did eat of that tree, but he did not die physically on that day, he died spiritually.
(When Scripture speaks of death, something is separated from something.
– Physical death, soul is separated from the body
– Spiritual death, soul separated from God
– Worldly death, believer separated from the world, Col 3:3)
Adam’s amazing relationship with God was broken, and Adam knew it immediately. When God entered the garden, Adam and Eve hid from God, Gen 3:8. God’s love for Adam is on full display, as Adam hid, God pursued. Only God was able to restore the relationship. God killed an animal, (innocent substitute sacrifice) and clothed Adam with the animal skins, Gen 3:21. The slain animal pictured the sacrifice for sin that would be made in the future, and the animal skins pictured God’s imputed righteousness to Adam, based on his faith in God’s provision for his sin. The ultimate fulfillment of that first animal sacrifice for sin (and all of the sacrifices offered under the Law) brings us to the cross of Christ.
Matthew records that on the sixth hour (6 hours from sunrise, ~ 12 noon) darkness fell over the entire region, something was happening. Then the ninth hour (about 3 pm) Jesus screamed out, “My God My God, Why hast Thou forsaken Me.” (quoting Ps 22) For the first time ever, in some awful, mysterious manner, Jesus was separated from God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit. He was experiencing spiritual death. During those 3 hours, our sins, the sins of all of humanity where poured out on Jesus. He bore the penalty of our sin, the ultimate expression of sacrificial love.
Mark records, Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last, Mark 15:37. Only John records these words: “It is Finshed!” And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.” John 19:30 It is done, complete, the sacrifice has been made, the required payment of sin had been paid. Jesus has experienced spiritual death in our place. The judicial penalty of our sin has been removed. Note, even at the Great White Throne judgment, there is no mention of sin, only an evaluation of man’s deeds, Rev 20:11-15.
Jesus really did die for the sins of the entire world, John 1:29. But that does not mean everyone is saved. Jesus removed the debt, but there is still a plus side of the ledger that needs addressed. The moment a person places their faith in Christ, the perfect Righteousness of Christ is imputed, credited to their account. 2 Cor 5:21 A fully restored relationship with God requires not only the removal of our debt, (the penalty of sin, completed by Christ on the cross for the entire world) but also the shared perfect Righteousness of God, (which is given to every person at the moment of salvation).
As I write this, we are living through a world-wide pandemic. In the midst of the suffering, we have come to appreciate and honor those who serve, who put their lives on the line, first responders, medical personnel, those who stock our grocery shelves… On this day, Good Friday, 2020, we honor the Lord Jesus Christ.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45.