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Christ Died…
According To The Scriptures
1
Corinthians 15:3
Introduction: New Language… New Insights
For the small part I had
in presenting The Wordless Book on our trip to the Dominican Republic I
memorized the last part of 1 Corinthians 15:3. The entire verse reads in
English:
For what I
received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our
sins according to the Scriptures… 1
Corinthians 15:3 NIV
As I worked at turning
each English word into its Spanish translation I found myself wondering afresh,
“Where in the Scriptures does it talk about Christ dying for my sins?” I wanted
to know what verses Paul might have been thinking about when these words were
written to the church in Corinth during the middles of the 50s—likely before
any of the four gospels were written. So, I started looking. Here is some of
what I found.
There Is No Reason To Be Surprised
I found there is no
reason—other than ignorance of all that was written—to be surprised by the
unfolding events that resulted in the horror of the Crucifixion. After the
Crucifixion and Resurrection, Jesus taught His disciples about these matters
just as He had also earlier explained to the two men on the Road To Emmaus.
Then he said, “When
I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law
of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened
their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written
long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the
third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the
authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is
forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.
Luke
24:44-48 NLT
Jesus had taught His
disciples about what would happen before He died—with increasing urgency as the
time drew near. Immediately after Peter made his grand confession of Christ,
Jesus began telling his disciples what would
happen to him. He said, "The nation's leaders, the chief priests, and the
teachers of the Law of Moses will make the Son of Man suffer terribly. He will
be rejected and killed, but three days later he will rise to life." Then
Jesus explained clearly what he meant. Peter took Jesus aside and told him
to stop talking like that.
Mark
8:31-32 CEV
This is one of several times Jesus warned His disciples of
what would happen. The only reason they were surprised—and then so desperately
discouraged—was they didn’t understand because, as Luke reports, it was hidden
from them.
Even as the disciples tried to comprehend the shockingly
good news of the Resurrection that Jesus was no longer dead John reports,
Finally the
other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and
believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise
from the dead.)
John
20:8-9 NIV
Jesus had to be raised
from the dead—which meant He had to die first! They shouldn’t have been
surprised. We definitely shouldn’t be surprised.
There Was Reason Te Be Encouraged
Jesus gave the disciples
sufficient opportunities to grasp that there were going to be some incredible
things unfolding right before their eyes. At the Last Supper Jesus told them,
"I have
eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you,
I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." Luke
22:15-16 NIV
It seems Jesus takes every
opportunity to help them understand the events—if not while they were happening
at least afterwards.
Seeing the efforts made by
Jesus I searched again for that one disciple who refused to give in to
discouragement. I looked for that follower of Jesus who sought to encourage the
others by reminding them of what Jesus had taught them in order to challenge
them to believe. There was no disciple. There was reason to be encouraged, but
they missed it.
I am, however, encouraged
that they missed it. If even one of them had gotten it, I would be left to
wonder if I would have been counted with that one or among the many muddling
along in the maze of confusing desperation. I fear I would be one of the many.
There Is Every Reason To Believe
I find that we have every
reason to believe with absolute confidence that Jesus died for our sins
according to the Scriptures. In my study I identified twenty Old Testament
passages that specifically look forward to Jesus’ betrayal, trial and
crucifixion. These are summarized for
you on a handout.
His Betrayal
Event OT
Prediction NT
Fulfillment
Triumphal Entry Zechariah 9:9 John 12:13-14
Betrayal By A Friend Psalm 41:9 Mark 14:10
30 Pieces of Silver Zechariah 11:12 Matthew 26:15
Potter’s Field Zechariah
11:13 Matthew 22:6-7
Betrayer To Be Replaced Psalm 109:7-8 Acts 1:18-20
His Trial
Event OT
Prediction NT
Fulfillment
False Witnesses Psalm 27:12 Matthew 26:60-61
Silent Before Accusers Isaiah 53:7 Matthew 26:62-63
To Be Abused Isaiah
50:6 Mark 14:65
Hated Without Cause Psalm 69:4 John 15:23-25
To Suffer Vicariously Isaiah 53:4-5 Matthew 8:16-17
His Crucifixion
Event OT
Prediction NT
Fulfillment
Crucified With Sinners Isaiah 53:12 Matthew 27:38
Hands & Feet Pierced Psalm 22:16 John 20:27
Mocked & Insulted Psalm 22:6-8 Matthew 27:39-41
Given Wine & Vinegar Psalm 69:71 John 19:29
Prophesy Used To Mock Him Psalm 22:8 Matthew
27:43
Prays For Enemies Psalm
109:4 Luke 23:34
Side Pierced Zechariah
12:10 John 19:34
Lots Cast For Clothing Psalm
22:18 Mark 15:24
No Bones Broken Psalm
34:20 John 19:33
Buried With Rich Isaiah
53:9 Matthew 27:57-60
The evidence supporting
the veracity of Paul’s statement that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures may not be lead-pipe cinch irrefutable but it is large enough and
wide spread enough to be close. We can be sure that the events we commemorate
on this day actually happened. Jesus really suffered. Jesus really experienced
excruciating pain. Jesus really endured the insults. Jesus really took upon
Himself the agonizing penalty for sin. Jesus really died. He really did all of
this. It all happened and it all happened because He loves you.
Conclusion: Remember What Jesus Did
This is why we gather
together on Good Friday. On Sunday we will celebrate the Resurrection. There
can be no Resurrection without the Crucifixion and the Crucifixion has no
meaning without the Resurrection. While these two events are tied together we
need to take the time to face the aching, agonizing hopelessness of all that
happened on Good Friday.
Shining in the darkness
was the hidden hope that none of this was a mistake, none of it had to be
unexpected and all of it was part of God’s marvelous plan of redemption. That’s
why we celebrate the Cross. Actually, it’s not the Cross; it’s the One who died
on that Cross. Jesus is His name. He is one who died for your sins according to
the Scriptures!
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