Easter #7 :The Atoning Servant

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody
does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence-Jesus Christ,
the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for
ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to
know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but
does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if
anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how
we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
                            1 John 2:1-6, New International Version

T

he apostle John wrote this letter, which we call the book of 1 John, to reassure believers in their faith and to counter false teachers and teachings. The letter is untitled and was sent to several congregations, probably between A.D. 85 and 90. This letter is short. However, John covers vital themes for communities of faith; themes such as sin, love, the family of God, truth and error, and assurance.

John says his purpose in writing the letter is for the readers and listeners to not sin. However, if they do sin, they have Jesus Christ, who speaks to God the Father on their behalf. Jesus, in a way, is like a lawyer, a defence attorney. He represents and defends us before God. (The flaw in this simile is the fact that it paints God as a harsh judge. God is not harsh. God judges; God is not judgemental.)

Jesus Christ, John writes, is “the Righteous One;” righteous means right and correct; yet so much more. It means upright and moral. It means justifiable and genuine. Only someone so righteous could speak to God on our behalf. Only someone so righteous could defend us and our sins. Only someone so righteous could atone for us.

Jesus Christ, John writes, is “the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the sins of the whole world.”
An online dictionary defines atonement as “satisfaction given for wrongdoing or injury; making amends.”

The Christian concept and definition of atonement is this and so much more. The Christian concept and definition of atonement is the fact that Jesus Christ makes us “at one” with God after we have separated ourselves from God by sin. The Christian concept and definition of atonement brings about perfect forgiveness of sins. Atonement erases sins and writes the word “forgiven” over our lives and spiritual journeys.

Forgiveness is not easy. In fact, forgiveness is hard; forgiveness can be extremely difficult. In our relationships with friends and family, in our relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ, in all our relationships in life, forgiveness is hard. We find it hard to forgive wrongs made against us. We find it hard to ask for forgiveness for wrongs we’ve committed. Imagine forgiving every sin of every man, woman, and child who has lived, is living, and will ever live on the face of the earth. This is what God has done through Jesus Christ the atoning sacrifice. Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice, the perfect atoning sacrifice to bring about perfect forgiveness of sins, perfect salvation, perfect cleansing, and perfect atonement.
             

Gordon Hinckley said: “Believe in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our Redeemer, the Son of God, who came to earth and walked the dusty roads of Palestine to teach us the way of truth and light and salvation, and who, in one great and glorious act offered an atonement for each of us. He opened the way of salvation and exaltation for each of us, under which we may go forward in the Church and kingdom of God. Be not faithless, but believe in the great and wonderful and marvellous blessings of the Atonement.”
             

The Christian concept and definition of the atonement found in the life, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ is wonderful; it’s marvellous; it’s a Godly blessing.
             

Jesus Christ is the atoning servant. He suffered; was humbled; was sacrificed; and became the atoning servant the world so desperately needed, needs, and will need for years to come.
             

              Jesus Christ is the atoning servant I need.
              Jesus Christ is the atoning servant you need.
              Jesus Christ is the atoning servant we need.

Christ embraced the cross for the world and every man, woman, and child on it.

Writer: Mark Braye and his wife Nancy are officers in Essex, Ontario, Canada. They have two children, pictured above, Hannah and Micah. The four of them love to play and watch Sesame Street.

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