As we continue to examine what was purchased for us by Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, let me remind you that we can look at what Jesus accomplished as an “exchange.” You will recall that a covenant requires an exchange of assets and liabilities. In the New Covenant, of which Jesus is a covenant head, He gives us His blessings and takes upon Himself what we deserve as sinners. Show More
In episode or post 80, We said that the Bible teaches that Jesus took our sin and gave us forgiveness (2 Cor 5:20-21). We have been forgiven of our sins in the past, the present, and the future. While this is difficult to comprehend, we must accept by faith that Jesus is able and in fact, did forgive us of all of our sins.
In episode or post 81, we examined the fact that Jesus took our death that we might have His life; (Rom 5:10 Hebrews 2:9). Our death, which meant eternal separation from God, has now become eternal life with God.
We have received Heaven instead of Hell.
Today we will look at the truth that Jesus experienced Hell that we might experience Heaven. Before we were born-again, we deserved Hell, but because Jesus took our punishment, we have been given Heaven. That was the exchange.
As Jesus hung on the Cross and took on the sins of humanity, He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). This moment represents His experience of what Hell was like, burdened with the sins of humankind and separated from Father God. However, this experience of Hell could not hold the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
How did this exchange take place?
The book of Hebrews was written to a Hebrew audience. In particular to Jews who were very familiar with the Sacrificial System. It is in this context of the Law that Hebrews 13:11-12 are understood. “11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate”.
What does this mean? Jesus was identifying with the Hebrew practice of making a “sin offering.” “Inside the sanctuary,” the Temple priest would take an unblemished animal and lay hands on its head (Jesus was unblemished by sin). This was done to transfer or impute the sins of the priest and the sins of the people to the animal. (As believers in Jesus Christ our sins have been imputed or transferred to Him). The priest would then kill the animal, drain its blood, (Jesus shed His blood for us) and then the sacrificial animal containing all the sins of the people was taken “outside the city” to be burned. (Jesus was taken outside the city not to be burned but to be buried).
Jesus stripped Satan of his power over believers in Jesus Christ and led “captivity captive”.
On the Cross, Jesus took our sins upon Himself and He accomplished two more important things for us. He stripped Satan of his power over those who are born-again. Remember, Hell is for those who are not in the New Covenant purchased by Jesus Christ.
- Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers (demonic), He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
- Luke 10:18-20 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions (demonic), and overall the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.”
Jesus also led “captivity captive.”
As a side note: Sheol (OT), Hades (NT), and Hell (NT) represent the same place. Old Testament theology believed that Hell had two areas, the place where the unrighteous dead went called Gehenna and a place where the righteous dead went called Paradise or Abraham’s bosom (The account of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31).
Ephesians 4:7-8 “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.’” Jesus led those who were in captivity in Paradise or Abraham’s Bosom. These would be the Old Testament saints who were righteous under the Law and awaiting the coming Messiah or Christ.
What the Devil intended to be a defeat for our Lord Jesus turned into a glorious victory for our God and the people of God!
Conclusion
You are (1) forgiven and (2) therefore have eternal life with God in Heaven, and (3) Satan with all of his demons have no power or authority over you!
God’s gifts are received by faith.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes (the promise), and in Him Amen (the confirmation, so be it), to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (or down-payment).
Remember all of the exchanges that the New Covenant provides are already present and available to receive as a result of God’s grace. However, they must be received by faith, that is we must believe it and then we must live our lives as if we believe. Not in doubt, fear, uncertainty or confusion. “For we walk by faith and not by sight”! (2 Corinthians 5:7).
