In Life on the Highest Plane Pt.1, we left humans in a sinful state cut off from their creator by a deep chasm. In Pt.2, we will find the solution for reconciliation in Jesus Christ as He bridged that chasm.

Chasm

Adam’s sin revealed his rebellious heart. He had sinned and destroyed the connection to God. It was God, because of His love for His created people, who came up with a solution to bridge the chasm between the two. He could have left us to our sinful nature that would end in our spiritual death, eternal separation from God. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” “Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

But God did not abandon us. For God to remain true to Himself, the solution had to satisfy His holy character and yet, be available to all people. He would provide a savior. That was what people needed. The world has many reformers, but what was needed was a savior.  Jesus said that He came to seek and save that which was lost. And Mary was told to call Him Jesus because He would save His people from their sins.

When we read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we see that redemption was God’s plan from the beginning and all the Bible is about that plan. The incarnation of Jesus was for redemption only. Yes, He taught us kingdom principles. However, He said Himself that He came to give His life a ransom for many. Reconciliation to God the Father was the purpose of His coming to earth. He came to be made sin for us, that we might be the righteousness of God.

Was this forced on Jesus? No. Jesus said in John 12:27, “But for this purpose I came to this hour.” And in John 10:17-18, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”

Can you imagine what that meant to Jesus? He knew that He would be covered with all the sins of the past as well as all sins of the future of every human being. The pure, spotless Son of God who had spent an eternity in His Father’s presence would experience separation, for us.

What did that include? What did Jesus experience for us? Ruth Paxson shares four consequences of our sins that Jesus accepted the responsibility for when He was hung on the cross.

Four Consequences

First was the guilt that we experience from sinning. That is what caused Adam and Eve to attempt to hide from God. They instantly knew that something was gravely wrong. Life had suddenly changed. And it was all because they put their trust in Satan. That guilt Jesus accepted for us, the innocent for the sinner.

Secondly, the result was what God said would happen, death. Not physical death immediately, although that would come later. It was a spiritual death, separation from God. A chasm formed separating them from God and it is the same chasm today separating the natural person from God. Jesus willingly paid the wages of sin, death.

The third consequence of sin was the curse. All the law that God gave them was to point to their inability to live rightly and point them to their need of a savior. Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; as it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree. When He died, Jesus died a cursed death. It wasn’t enough that He died, but it had to be on a cross, a cursed death. Nothing was worse.

Lastly, Jesus accepted the consequence for our sin by enduring the wrath of His father against all sin. That wrath was meant for us. But, once again, Jesus took responsibility for our sins and had to endure the wrath of His Father. Do you know what wrath is? Strong, fierce anger, indignation. All His anger against sin and the ruler of sin, the one who offered sin to Adam and Eve and to each of us when we choose our own way instead of God’s way. Romans 5:9 “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”  

Jesus said in John 14:31 “But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do.” What it cost Him was expressed in the Garden of Gethsemane. I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. I truly do.

When Jesus died He said, “It is finished.” It wasn’t that He lost. No. It was that the plan was carried out and that Satan had lost. As much as Satan tried to block the fulfillment of that plan, it was done. Redemption plan was finished.

Chasm Bridged

One last step in bridging the chasm is the resurrection. In rising from the dead, Jesus became the first of many brothers. He conquered death and those who place their trust in Him will also conquer death, both spiritual and physical death.

In His ascension, He was welcomed home. He received a place of honor. Exalted at the right hand of the Father. His work as High Priest was complete and He sat down. It was done. Now He is our advocate with the Father always interceding for us. Because of what He accomplished, He is able to save completely any who come to Him. Any. Completely. What a Savior!

Ephesians 1:20-21 “…when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power…” 

Words to light your path –

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Father in heaven, help us to see what our salvation cost You and Your Son.  And may we see the completeness of that plan, Your mercy, and what a privilege it is to be Your child.

All scripture references from New King James Version.

See part one of Life on the Highest Plane here.