Today we remember the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are the heart of the gospel. Though we remember and celebrate these truths about Jesus Christ annually in the Christian year, they are truths that are at the heart of our Christian faith and lives. To consider that Jesus died in our place, on our behalf, for us and our sin, is overwhelming.

Ponder these Scriptures as you reflect on Jesus’ death being representative and substitutionary.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us-- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"--so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

This is the heart of the gospel and it is of first importance for Christians and the Christian faith. Paul writes,

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you-- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

At our local EFC church we are studying the Atonement Thread in The Gospel Project. Not only is this material excellent, they have also provided additional resources that address different aspects of the atonement. Here are three: First, that “Christ died for our sins” is a truth that was foretold and foreshadowed in the Old Testament; second, the truth of the atonement is massive and multi-faceted; third, the atonement affects and determines every aspect of our Christian lives. I share these excellent resources with you.

Ed Stetzer, general editor of The Gospel Project, has posted a number of essays written by others focusing on The Atonement in the Old Testament.

• The Atonement in the Blood- Stephen Um
• The Atonement in the Garden of Eden - Jon Akin
• The Atonement in Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac - David Murray
• The Atonement in the Passover - Scot McKnight
• The Atonement and the Scapegoat - Kenneth Matthews

Trevin Wax, managing editor of The Gospel Project, has posted a number of essays written by others focusing on the multi-faceted truth of the atonement under the theme The Theology of Atonement.

• The Savior Who Suffers With Us – Trevin Wax
• Penal substitution - Brandon Smith
• Redemption - Nancy Guthrie
• Ransom - Jared Wilson
• Moral influence - Matt Capps
• Expiation - Adam Mabry
• Propitiation - Fred Sanders
• Freedom of Redemption – Bryan Loritts
• Cosmic Victory - Phillip Bethancourt

Finally, there are a number of essays that address The Atonement and the Christian Life. As you can see below, the series is yet to be completed.

• Christ Died for You - Sharon Miller
• Christ Promises a Life of Victory – Bob Kellemen
• Christ Motivates a Life of Love and Compassion – Trillia Newbell
• Christ Transforms Our Humility – Joe Thorn
• Christ Stimulates a Life Of Holiness – Daniel Davis
• Christ Frees You To Be You – Brad Hambrick
• Christ’s Death Was Final - Nathan Finn
• Christ Motivates a Sacrificial Life – Matt Capps
• Christ Impels a Life of Peacemaking – Ryan Showalter
• Christ Urges a Life of Patient Endurance – Steve McKinion

Read. Learn. Give thanks. Worship.

Remember: it's Friday, but Sunday's coming!