Romans 3:21-26

“they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement* by his blood, effective through faith.” vss. 24-25

Most followers of Jesus find his words and deeds instructive as they seek to live their lives in a distinctly Christ-like fashion. They understand him as a model of the godly life and take seriously his commandment to love and serve according to his example. Many even ask themselves the question, “What would Jesus do?” before making important decisions. But it’s not so easy for some when it comes to the matter of redemption, particularly when redemption is framed as a “sacrifice of atonement by his blood.” It’s not that the language is unfamiliar…these terms have been a part of discourse in the church from the time of Paul. But they question how the sacrificial death of one person can possibly atone for the sins of all people. Questions like this are tough, but removing the offensive language is not the answer. While Jesus is a good model for living, it’s the mystery of the cross that is the focal point of our faith. The death of Jesus is an expression of sacrificial love and it means the forgiveness of our sins…and it doesn’t require understanding. We can express all the doubts and questions we want, but in the end one truth remains: in Christ we have been made righteous…and it’s all grace.

Thought for the Day: What questions do I have about the atonement?