Jesus the Sacrifice

Opening question

What do you think would solve the problem of evil?

The problem of evil

The problem of evil has plagued humans for as long as we’ve existed–selfishness, dehumanization, injustice, violence, the list goes on. If the God of the bible is good, would he not want to get rid of evil? Before we enthusiastically agree, the bible’s picture of human nature is that the evil that I see everywhere out there is the same evil that’s inside of me. We all contribute to it–evil doesn’t just happen to us, it happens in us. For God to rid the world of evil, he’d have to get rid of us. Yet through Jesus, Christians revel in the mystery of how God plans to rid the world of evil without destroying humanity.

What’s the deal with Jesus dying?

All four gospel accounts of Jesus’ life culminate in the same way: his death on a cross and his resurrection from death. To understand this event, it helps to know about the Israelite ritual of animal sacrifices–a powerful symbol of both God’s justice and grace. In the Old Testament, God established a relationship with the Israelites and made his presence with them. But he knew that the Israelites would continue to act out of evil–and that’s where this seemingly odd practice comes in.

When someone commits an act of evil, the bible demonstrates that there are two types of effects. First, there’s the direct effect of evil–when evil is done, they owe something to make it right, like a debt. But there’s also the indirect effect, where they’ve also ruined or defiled the environment of the relationship, like vandalism–requiring some form of cleansing from the defilement. To use a very simple example: if you want to make things right after stealing from someone, you would need to pay back the debt of what you stole, but also address the broken trust and relational pain from your action.

So when Israelites partook in evil, which happened a lot, they both owed something to make it right, but also vandalized their community and land. God made it possible for the Israelites to sacrifice an animal’s life to be a substitute, symbolically dying in their place. But the animal’s blood also represented life–so its blood would also be sprinkled in the temple, where God’s presence dwelt, symbolically washing away the indirect consequences of evil. In short, this ritual made things right between Israel and God, dealing with the problem of evil.

Yet the Israelites’ evil goes on, to the point where their sacrifices become meaningless because of the great evil in their midst. But there was a promise of a day when there would be a king who would come and deal with evil–a king who would not just serve but also suffer and die for the evil committed by his people. His life would be offered as a sacrifice. And this is the promise Jesus fulfilled: he’s the king of Israel, suffering and dying on the cross.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

The surprising outcome of Jesus’ sacrifice

After three years of healing, restoring, and teaching, Jesus is betrayed by one of his own followers. He is crucified on a wooden cross, the most shameful and horrific way to die in his day.

“They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha…And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the Jews.” (Mark 15:22-26)

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

His death was a sacrifice, covering the debt that humans owe for our contribution to evil and washing away the vandalism that evil caused. But the gospel writers make an incredible claim: Jesus rose from the dead. His followers who grieved his death saw him face to face again. Jesus would leave again, promising a day where there would one day be complete justice and riddance of evil, but before he left, he told his followers to go and invite the whole world into this new life: a life sourced by the same power that brought Jesus from the dead. In the same way that death was not the end for Jesus, death no longer has to be the end of human life.

Through Jesus, we are not simply saved from the consequences of evil. We are also able to be transformed into the people of goodness and love that God always intended. We can be saved inwardly from our anger, despair, greed, egotism, and lust. So Jesus is not just a sacrifice, but his sacrifice conquered the power of evil itself–once and for all. And Jesus lives on to offer his life to anyone who will accept it.

Just a symbol?

The life of Jesus is incredible to read about, and perhaps you can even appreciate the symbols and connection to Israelite rituals. But is that all this is—just symbolic?

We end by returning to where we started at the beginning: Jesus really lived and walked on this earth, and he changed the world forever. Jesus’ life was not just symbolic, but it actually accomplished the reality behind the symbols. The audacious claim of the bible is that the creator God, full of love and compassion, has chosen to reveal himself in real time and place–and that he continues to do so today. The outworking of our lives leads to death—mentally, socially, emotionally, and ultimately physically. But God, in and through Jesus, carries us back to life. He will not force us, but it is available to every single person, if only we choose to join our lives to his.

A new life victorious over evil is available to us now, and there will be a day where evil is dealt with forever—and peace, justice and love will remain.

Reflection questions

Can you think of a time where you saw both the direct and indirect effects of evil?
Do you agree that the same evil that exists out in the world exists also in each human heart?
What do you think motivated Jesus to sacrifice his life?
If the story of Jesus’ death & resurrection were true, what difference would it make in your life?

Exercise

Slowly read through each gospel’s account of Jesus’ death and resurrection, located towards the end of each gospel.

Additional resources

Sacrifice and Atonement video from The Bible Project

Part 6 | Return to Who is Jesus