Christ our substitute

I’m preparing for Sunday morning’s communion service.  The text is John 11v.50, Caiaphas’ cynical statement, You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.

This is clearly the langauge of sacrifice. 

Anyway, I’ve been looking through Leon Morris’ brillian “The Cross in the New Testament” which I picked up a few years ago in our church charity shop “Second Chance”. I’ve always wondered who gave away this treasure.  This is a great example of his fine writing and theology. 

The modern world is ready to pay its homage to the Carpenter of Nazareth who lived simply, taught beautifully, was betrayed shamefully and died courageously.  He is given an honoured place among the noble army of martyrs who have suffered for their convictions throughout the ages and throughout the world.  But that was not the way the men of the New Testament saw his life and death.  It is important to be clear on this.  His death was not simply a martyrdom.  As the New Testament writers saw it he came to save sinful men and his death was the central feature in his accomplishment of salvation.  It was not simply a martyrdom.  It was a taking of the place of sinful men so that his death should avail for them.