Scripture Reading: Romans 3:10-23
Memory Verse: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” —Romans 3:10-12
Introduction:
In the Old Testament only the high priest could come into the Holy of Holies once a year, and then only after a detailed ritual of cleansing and purification. From the time the first man and woman sinned until the resurrection of Christ man had no legal access into the presence of God. The whole human race is in a place of utter and total separation from God.
Because God’s nature is holiness, and because He is a righteous Judge, He is bound to abide by His own righteous Law. Man’s sin, rebellion and disobedience made it impossible for a holy God to accept him into His presence without destroying the very foundation of the moral law, which governs the universe. Sin brings the death penalty and man has sinned and therefore has to die.
The only way God could abide by His righteous Law and still bring forgiveness and reconciliation to man was to find a substitute to die in his place. A suitable substitute had to be found who could stand righteous before God, and yet who could truly represent the human race. It had to be a man who had no sin. But there was no man—for all had sinned. So Christ had to take on the form of man in order to reconcile man to God.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, entered fully into the stream of human life, becoming, as He called Himself ‘the Son of man’ (Luke 19:10). Because He lived a perfect life, He was able to represent us before God, bringing man and God together. He was the only one who could satisfy both the holiness of God and the total needs of mankind.
In the Old Testament only those guilty of idolatry or blasphemy were hung on a cross or tree, after being stoned to death, as a warning to others (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). The Romans used the cross as a means of executing slaves and the worst criminals. That mankind’s sin was judged on a cross indicates God’s attitude towards those who reject Him: their rebellion is compared to the worst crime.
Lesson Questions:
- Under the old covenant, how did man gain access to God? Leviticus 16:2-30.
- List the natural characteristics of mankind. Ephesians 2:1-2; Ephesians 2:3; John 8:44; Colossians 1:21; James 4:4; Ephesians 2:12.
- Without a redeemer, is there any hope for mankind? Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23.
- What is God’s plan for mankind? Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21.
- Who became the substitute for our sins? Hebrews 4:14-16; 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 3:18.
- Why did God choose the cross as the means of Christ’s death? Galatians 3:13; 6:14; 1 Corinthians 1:23-24; Deuteronomy 21:22-23.
- Explain how love and justice met at the cross. Romans 5:8-11; John 3:16.