Jesus Died Once for All!

Christ’s resurrection is also our resurrection. Christ’s death on the cross was also our death on the cross. Surprisingly, many people have never associated themselves quite that personally with the Easter story. But really, that is what we all must do in order to “experientially” know the reality of the resurrection life.

We have all been united with Him in both death and life! (Romans 6:5-7). It's interesting to understand that the true meaning of the Lenten Season is that “Death was defeated” and “Life was awarded” to all who believe.

Believe what? Believe that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, and that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (Romans 6:6-8). That’s what the whole process of reconciliation is all about.

The word “reconciliation” means to make an adjustment. It is the process of bringing together two things that differ from each other so they can now agree and be as one. Atonement carries much the same meaning.

My mother was an excellent bookkeeper. The Hardware store where she worked for so many years was blessed to have her! Through her, I learned a lot about the “Bookkeeping World.” I learned the importance of how the ledger must always agree with the total income being equal to the sum of the profit and the total expenses for the year. And if, by chance, the two figures do not agree then reconciliation must be made, by adding a figure from one side of the ledger to the other to bring about a balance.

In like manner, God had to “balance the books” (so to speak) on our account because we had put ourselves into debt to him by our sin.

This Holy week symbolizes the glorious and beautiful way of atonement, and the high price that had to be paid in order for us to be made “alive to Christ.” But there is also a daily reckoning that has to be made. An entering into our ledger of faith, the agreement that Christ has “once for all” paid the price, and that our name can be forever written into the Lamb’s Book of Life!

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:9-11, NIV).

Hallelujah! The debt had been paid — once for all!

Copyright © Missey Butler, used with permission.