In our series, Why Christ Had to Die, we’re examining the purpose of Christ’s death on the cross. Is such a gruesome, barbaric, and humiliating death necessary for God to forgive and bring humans back into fellowship with Him?
Though not easy, the answer is simply, “Yes,” as we have seen over and over again.
We pick up where we left off…the second law, Deuteronomy. The first generation of God’s chosen people had died in the wilderness, and now this second generation had grown up. It was their season to take the baton into the new and promised land. Thus, Moses writes the law the second time–specifically warning them against certain things, as well as instructing them to do certain things.
As is his custom, Moses gets right to the point:
“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.”
Deuteronomy 15:1
In essence, Moses was establishing a community of people void of exploitation and greed. The same debt forgiveness, however, didn’t apply to foreigners. For instance, Moses goes on to instruct God’s people, “From a foreigner you may require it, but your hand shall forgive whatever of yours is with your brother.” In other words, the Israelites of old were to live with each other in such a way as to be distinguished among all the nations. This applied to how they lived, dressed, ate, and handle their business dealings. They were to be peculiar. Other nations could come to them (as Ruth) and worship God, but until that time they were to be treated different than their YHWH-worshipping community.
Their role in the world and among the nations was already established in Exodus 19. They were to be a kingdom of priests. Basically, their lives, their worship, and their faith in God was to be so great that it “drew” the nations to the submission and worship of the one true God.
However, the ancient Israelite nation didn’t forgive their brother’s debts as instructed. There was to be no poor man among them, but their greed prevented this from happening. In time, their status among the nations was therefore decimated. God exiled them twice, and even when they were brought back they were placed under the thumb of the nations. Nevertheless, the Messiah came to them with the message of truth and hope, but their lives only brought reproof, ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”” Matthew 23:23.
Nevertheless, it was into this chaotic world of confusion and rejection that Christ once again spoke words of solemn truth:
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.””
John 13:34-35
Here, Christ echoes back to Moses so many millennia ago. The people of God are to interact with the people of God in a peculiar way. In so doing, they would draw the nations to worship, submission, and love.
The reality?
Just like the Israelites of old, we don’t follow Christ’s one new commandment–to love other Christians. The sad reality…we are all guilty of loving $$, pleasure, comfort, envy, discontentment, and lack of forgiveness more than laying down our lives $$, comforts, etc. for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Case in point, consider how Christian’s on varying sides of the political spectrum have loved each other through this past political cycle, as well as anything related to COVID.
This is yet another reason Why Christ Had To Die.
How Does This Apply To Us Today?
- The heart behind the law regarding the forgiveness of debt was to provide a place for equalizing and fairness. It was a condition of the heart that overflowed into a condition of the hands. This is not communism (i.e. forced communal ownership), but a love-motivated practice. We saw this manifest biblically in the first part of the book of Acts, and have seen it all around the world since.
- Christ’s new commandment to His followers (i.e. Christians) to love one another is laid down for them to see and follow. It’s simple, but not easy. Thus…
- The reality, we need a new heart. We need new desires. We can’t conjure these up. We need God to give us a heart like His in order to love His people like He loves them. Therefore, we need to be born-again…rebirth…regeneration…new hearts. This comes through faith in the person and work of Christ…a transfer of trust from oneself for salvation to God.
- The second reality, we need to confess. We need to agree that we have not forgiven debts (be it money, harsh treatment, etc.). We harbor, but we need to confess and agree to that James 4:1 applies to us as much as to anyone else.
- Finally, we need to seek reconciliation and restoration with Christian’s who have hurt us or whom we have hurt. Jesus is very clear on this point, “Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Matthew 5:23-24
As the biblical storyline continues to unfold…we’ll see over and over again our need for our God to become one of us in order to redeem, forgive, and bring us back into fellowship with Him. The reality…we need this everyday. We need to be reminded of our propensity to sin and hurt. We need our God to be real in our lives…and we need to find Him in His Word. Amen and Amen.
— January 8, 2021