WHAT REALLY HAPPENED WHEN JESUS DIED?

     What really happened when Jesus died? Heaven, the world, and hell itself, has not been the same since that ordained occasion? Even on the surface, Christ's death was a staggering event. The "kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against Him." "Both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together" against the One "Who went about doing good, and healing all that were  oppressed of the devil" (Acts 4:26-27; 10:38). But what REALLY happened when Jesus died?

     When Jesus died, a penitent thief saw His kingship, although it was hidden from every one else (Lk 23:42-43). A Roman Centurion concluded Jesus was truly the "Son of God," when no one else appeared to see it (Matt 27:54). Nature was impacted by His death, with "darkness over the land" for the space of three hours (Matt 27:45). A climatic earthquake occurred, and "many bodies of the saints which slept arose" (Matt 27:51,52,54). In the Temple, the thick veil
that separated the holy place from the holy of holies was violently torn in two from the top to the bottom (Mark 15:38). But, what REALLY happened when Jesus died? 

     Mind you, the things just mentioned REALLY did happen. However, they had no redemptive value no power to reconcile sinners to God. They brought no Divine satisfaction. When I say "What REALLY happened when Jesus died?", I mean what occurred that opened the door of salvation to humanity?  What happened that was seen by heaven, but unseen upon earth? 

     When Jesus died, He "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb 9:26). He removed it, taking it out of the way. It was not removed from earth, but from the sight and consideration of God Himself. For those who "receive the reconciliation," God remembers their sin "no more" (Heb 8:12; 10:16). Once and for all, the sin question was settled! Having carried our sins "in His body on the tree" (1 Pet 2:24), sin lost its power for all who believe. Because sin  itself was put away, guilt and condemnation were also removed for those who believe.

     In the death of Christ, Satan was "destroyed." That is the express statement of the Spirit. As a man, Jesus became like us in order that He might die, laying down His life a ransom for many. Of that occasion, it is written, "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of  death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb 2:14-15). It might not appear as though Satan is "destroyed," but He is. He is destroyed in the heavenly places into which those in Christ have been raised (Eph 2:6). There, in the "heavenly places," Satan is impotent. He cannot work in that realm! His activity is all "in the world," in the domain of "the lust of the flesh, the lust of  the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:15-17). For those choosing to "walk in the Spirit," you "shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal 5:17). That is because in Christ's death, Satan has been "destroyed."

     The world was reconciled to God in the death of Christ. As it is written, "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18-19). The "ministry of reconciliation" is the stewardship of announcing this Gospel. For those who believe it, the Gospel becomes "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom 1:16). Being "reconciled to God," they have access to Him (Eph 2:18; 3:12), together with the abundant grace required to get us from earth to glory.

     This is only a smattering of what REALLY occurred when Jesus died. We could mention the plundering of "principalities and powers" that had ruled the world unchallenged for centuries (Col 2:15). The removal of the "handwriting of ordinances that was contrary to us"--i.e,  the Law in its condemning capacity--also took place in Christ's death (Col 2:14). That solitary death satisfied every Divine requirement that stood between us and justification, or complete exoneration from sin.

     Rejoice, child of God, in the effective death of the Lord Jesus. It opened heaven to you, removed your condemnation, destroyed the devil, and plundered his evil hierarchy. Death itself was defeated, and a way to be born again opened. There is no reason why YOU cannot dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

PRAYER POINT: Father, give me grace to think more of Christ, and less of myself. Help me to glory in His death, and not to fear mine. In the name of Jesus, thank you for sending Your only begotten Son to take away the sin of the world--even my sin.

-- MONDAY: GOD HAS A WILL --