The Dilemma of Mercy and Justice: Why Did Jesus Have To Die?
Exodus 34:4-8
What is Mercy?
¨ Less than we deserve for our sins. Ps. 103:8-12; 130:3-4
¨ What would we have done to Israel? Ne. 9:17-21, 26-28, 29-31
What Did We Deserve?
¨ Eternal separation 1Sa. 2:2; Is. 59:1-2; Ge. 3:22-24
¨ Death Ge. 1:26-27; Ro. 3:23; 6:23
¨ Only blood can pay the debt of sin Le. 17:11; He. 9:22
Is My Sin Really That Bad?
¨ Gospel reveals God’s righteousness and wrath Ro. 1:16-18, 32
¨ There are no good, moral people before God Ro. 3:9-20
How Can God Be Just and Pardon Us?
¨ Sacrifice / Substitutionary Atonement
-By the patriarchs Ge. 3:21 (e.g. Noah, Abraham, Job)
-Under the OT law Le. 4:27-31; He. 10:1-4
-Of Christ Jn. 1:29-34; Is. 52:13-53:12; Co. 1:14
Jesus is the Offering That Satisfies the Blood Debt of Sin.
¨ “Deep magic” in C.S. Lewis’s allegory Lion, Witch, & Wardrobe
¨ Propitiation / atoning sacrifice / appeasement Ro. 3:21-26
¨ The cross satisfies demands of justice and need of mercy Ps. 85
¨ God had all the while been merciful, friendly, “passing over” man's sins with no apparently adequate, or just, ground for doing so. Now in the blood of Christ sin is condemned and expiated, and God is able to establish and maintain His character for righteousness, while He continues and extends His dealing in gracious love with sinners who exercise faith in Jesus. (ISBE under Propitiation)
¨ Saved from bondage & death when we die with Him Ro. 6:1-23
Our God Delights in Mercy!
¨ Do we marvel at the goodness of God? Mic. 7:18-19
¨ How will we respond to God’s gracious offer of mercy?
¨ We are called to be merciful, just like our Father. Lk. 6:36
You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (Psalm 86:15)