Lesson No. 47 

Lesson No. 47 The Act of Redemption

The time in which the Son of God, the divine Messiah, was to carry out the transcendent act of redemption having been fulfilled, He began to declare it to His disciples. Let us consider the account of the following biblical passages:

Matthew chapter 20: verses 18, 19, and 28: “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. 28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many”.51

Matthew chapter 26: verses 1 to 4: “And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him”.51

Now let us consider the immediate fulfillment of these predictions of our Lord, according to the following passages:

John chapter 18: verses 1 to 8 and 12: “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him”.51

According to the continuation of the account described by Matthew in chapter 26: verses 57 to 68 of his book, it says: And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?”. 51

The verses 1 and 2 of chapter 27 of the same book, conclude by saying: When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.51

Now let us see Jesus Christ before Pilate, according to the narration of the apostle John:

John chapter 18: verses 29 to 32: “Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die”.51

John chapter 19: verses 1 to 7: “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 6When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God”.51

The account of the life and martyrdom of Jesus Christ is narrated in four books of the New Testament by four different authors, and some of them narrate events that others do not mention. This is what is called involuntary support among witnesses, meaning it is a declaration involuntarily supported by an eyewitness who provides details that the other witness omitted. Due to this, I have found it appropriate to take part of the description from more than one book, to enrich our study, even though some stories may be repeated. In this part of describing the events, it is Matthew who once again takes his place in the narrative, saying: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. 32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34They gave

him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. (Matthew chapter 27: verses 24 to 35 and 38 to 43).51

Now let us see what Luke tells us:

Luke chapter 23: verses 39 to 46: “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 44And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost”.51

Matthew offers more extensive information about the phenomena related to Luke's account: Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. (Matthew chapter 27: verses 50 to 54).51

Let us also consider the following two passages:

John chapter 19: verses 32 to 35: “Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe”.51

Matthew chapter 27: verses 57 to 60: “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed”.51

Thus, the act of redemption for the sins of humanity was carried out through the sacrifice of the Son of God.

Although I have not exposed all the details expressed in the sacred account regarding this event, I have at least tried to be as explicit as possible so that students can have an idea of how much Jesus Christ had to suffer to redeem us from the guilt of sin. He endured the most cruel and dishonorable death imaginable at that time, reserved only for thieves and great criminals. Even cursed by the Word of God, as stated in the following passage:

Galatians chapter 3: verse 13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”.51

The reflection provided by the different biblical passages, regarding the ministry of Jesus Christ and the antagonistic activities of God's enemy attempting to thwart His divine plans at every step, shows that Satan could not overcome the Messiah with the ostentatious and miserable offers through which he had driven himself to the chaos of sin and the loss of the Kingdom of God. He then tried to intimidate Him with reproach and martyrdom itself. Just as he entered Judas to betray Him, according to Luke chapter 22: verse 3,51 and John chapter 13: verse 27,51 he himself induced others in every accusation, in every offense, and in every scourge that the Son of God received. Behind each hammer strike on the nails, it is sure that the Devil unleashed all his fury and frustration knowing that he had lost his battle. Until the Divine Redeemer was lifted upon the cross, where He consummated the work of redemption and left completely defeated the enemy of God and our souls. Thus, His and our victory culminated with the resurrection from the dead and His ascension into heaven. Just as He rose from the dead, He will also resurrect us, and just as He ascended to heaven, He will also lift us up to reign with Him forever, if only we embrace His divine plan of salvation and promises of eternal life.

The declarations of the Sacred Scriptures prove that Jesus Christ bore the entire curse and guilt of sin of the human race. He died in place of the wicked and the most heinous criminals, as well as ordinary sinners. For Him, there is no exception of persons, regardless of race, color, social standing, or physical or intellectual virtues. He gave His precious life because of the immense love He feels for humanity so that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Dear student, the pain caused by the terrible piercing of the thorns on the forehead of the Son of God, the pain produced by those rough and massive nails in the hands and feet of the Divine Master, the wound of the spear that pierced His side, the mistreatment and reproach suffered by the Redeemer of our souls and His terrible death on the cross of Calvary, was and never will be a sacrifice in vain. God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand, giving Him all power in heaven and on earth, to provide salvation and eternal life to all who come to Him repentant of their sins. It does not matter how severe they may have been. If a person repents, their forgiveness is certain. So says His Holy Word:

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”. (Isaiah chapter 1: verse 18).51

As a living example of the fulfillment of this divine promise and as a demonstration of the strength of His love and the great power of His redemptive activity, Jesus Christ exercised forgiveness. Not only with the thief on the cross, according to Luke chapter 23: verses 39 to 43,51 but also with the adulterous woman, according to John chapter 8: verse 11.51 Whom He saved even from death, perhaps at the most crucial moment of her life when He said to her: "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more". Therefore, it is appropriate to quote, in this case, the words of a recognized writer of Christian literature,8 which he referred to under the concept of "El Veredicto," and says in its final part:

“...Listen. Listen with full attention. He is speaking: *I do not condemn you.* And observe. Observe with great attention. He is writing. He is leaving a message. Not in the sand, but on a cross. Not with His hand, but with His blood. His message consists of one word: Acquitted”. (trans.)

Evidently, God does not care about your condition. Whether you are an honest and decent person or a miserable and perverted one. God loves you even as you are. He only waits for you to believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Savior. And He will take care of changing your life and make you as worthy and admirable as He wants you to be.

Now then, what will become of those sinners who, having such a great opportunity for salvation, do not come to the throne of grace to be saved by Jesus Christ? Clearly, there is no other alternative left for them but a severe sentence that will be pronounced on the day of the final judgment. Then they will have to pay not only for their sins but also for their indifferent attitude towards the pain and suffering of the Divine Messiah. Whose spilled blood on the cross is like a wonderful river of crystal-clear waters that will keep running as long as there is a sinner who wants to be cleansed of their sins.

Hear, sinner, the voice of Christ! He calls you, wants you to come repentant and start a new life. If you cannot feel repentance, but you acknowledge that you need it, then come to Jesus Christ as you are, approach the throne of grace, and He will provide everything you need to be saved.

He wants to wash you with His precious blood, He wants to give you eternal life in glory. How long will you ignore His call? How long will you let His wounds continue to bleed, and let the thorny spikes that pierced His temples and the coarse nails that pierced His feet and hands become more cruel and painful? He waits for you, accept Him today, which is a day of acceptance, today while you have life, for tomorrow is uncertain, and we do not know what it will bring. What are you waiting for, sinner? Jesus Christ wants to save you. Come quickly! He is waiting for you with open arms.