The Cross. ( Isaiah 53 )

 What was involved when our dear Saviour died on the cross?. I would like to mention two things, ( 1 ) Christ became a substitute,in other words He was dying in the place of sinners.This is foreshadowed in the animal sacrifice .CP  Leviticus 1 v 4, we read,'Lay your hand on the animals head, and the Lord will accept  its death in your place to purify you, making you right with Him'. ( 2 ) An offering for sin. Leviticus 16, Jesus the Lamb of God became a sin offering CP also John 1 v 29.On the cross Jesus was dying for others,and their sins, lets remember Jesus never sinned. CP Hebrew 4 v 15.  we read In 1 Peter 2 v 24,/  'Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree', also CP Isaiah 53 v 11-12.A. M. Stibbs writes,'To bear sin or iniquity means in the OT to be answerable for it, and to endure its penalty.' Now everyone of us are sinners, and we read that Gods wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.Romans 1 v18. And in John 3 v36 we are told that the wrath of God abides on all unbelievers.To sum it up,Jesus on the cross became a living sacrifice, and that meant bearing the wrath  of God for sin,so that when we believe in Jesus,our sins are forgiven,wrath is removed from us, and we are accepted by God as His child.

                                                 By Christ, the sinless Lamb of  God,

                                                 The precious blood was shed,

                                                 When He fulfilled God's holy Word,

                                                 And suffered in our stead.

                                                The wrath of God that was our due,

                                                 Upon the Lamb was laid;

                                                 And by the shedding of  His blood,

                                                 The debt for us was paid.

                                                          D.W.Whittle