Category Archives: Scripture

The Wonderful Cross: Substitution, Part 1

The Gospel writers tell us that Barabbas was a murderer. He was imprisoned for inciting rebellion and he was awaiting execution. In most every way, he was as good as dead. When the guards came and unlocked his cell, I’m … Continue reading

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The Wonderful Cross: The Passover Lamb, Part 3

During the Passover, in every home not marked by the blood of the lamb, the firstborn son passed away. Exodus 12:29 tells us that even Pharaoh’s son died that night. That means the son of the king died at Passover. … Continue reading

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The Wonderful Cross: The Passover Lamb, Part 2

One way to think about the cross is to ask the question: What problem does the cross solve? From the very beginning, the Bible declares that our predicament is so great that only God can resolve the problem. The cross … Continue reading

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The Wonderful Cross: The Passover Lamb, Part 1

At this point in our series, we turn our attention to some of the different “theories” of atonement. But the word “theory” makes all of this sound a bit too abstract, in my opinion. Perhaps it would be better to … Continue reading

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The Wonderful Cross: God’s Justice and Righteousness, Part 4

The cross is God’s way of justifying us by faith. So here is the progression of thought we’re working with from Romans 3:21-26: God is wrathful because God is righteous. There are some things that make His blood boil — … Continue reading

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The Wonderful Cross: God’s Justice and Righteousness, Part 3

At the cross, we see the wrath of God. The cross is certainly a word about God’s righteousness, but it is also a word about His wrath. We can’t talk about the cross without talking about God’s wrath. There is … Continue reading

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The Wonderful Cross: God’s Justice and Righteousness, Part 2

The cross is a statement of God’s righteousness. That’s literally what Paul says in Romans 3:24-25: … the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This … Continue reading

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The Wonderful Cross: God’s Justice and Righteousness, Part 1

At this point in our series, we turn to what has been called one of the most theologically important passages in the New Testament: But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law … Continue reading

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Meat Loaf, Betty White, Bob Saget and Christian Communion

Meat Loaf died last night. Since the 1970s, Michael / Marvin Lee Aday has sold over 65 million albums under the recording name “Meat Loaf.” His most successful work, Bat Out of Hell, sold over 40 million copies and is … Continue reading

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The Wonderful Cross: The Scandal of the Cross, Part 4

[The following is adapted from the scholarship of Fleming Rutledge, Scot McKnight, N.T. Wright, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, and others.] One of the most degrading parts of crucifixion was the scourging. The Jews had precise rules regarding this form of punishment. Under … Continue reading

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