The Atonement, Part 4
January 21st, 2008 by JohnO
Now we get to focus on why the Resurrection is salvific and live-giving. The NT, and definitively the end of Matthew, declare Jesus to have the victory in his resurrection. Because of the resurrection he has defeated evil. The world pulled out all the stops to destroy the Messiah, and the Messiah bore their sin, and came out the other side. And now Jesus, legitimately by fact and appointment, is above all principalities and powers, the lord of all. As we identify with Jesus’ death and resurrection we take part in what it has to offer. By dying, in repentance and loving obedience - carrying our cross, and being resurrected as a new creature freed from slavery to sin, we come out the other side as well.
Paul argues extensively in Romans 6-8 that it is the resurrection of Christ that allows the Christian to live free from sin. As we identify in baptism with Christ we are resurrected. Because we are made new, we no longer are slaves to sin. We are restored in our relationship with God. We can come close to God as our sin is forgiven and forgotten. The Gospel and love of God shown to us in the cross recreates us on the inside. It heals our fractures. We were originally made as images, or icons (eikon in the greek), of God. As a result of the fall, we are broken. The Gospel, and specifically the atonement is designed to re-forge that image that we may reflect and represent God.
The Kingdom is going to ultimately solve the problem of sin, and the problem of evil. But the atonement is designed, as far as I can see, to do three primary things; (1) equip the people of God to better serve as restored icons, (2) show the world the extent to which God will go to love and bring them close to him, and (3) give the world a preview of the Kingdom to come in the church. The church is not the Kingdom. But the people that make up the Church are being restored to a pre-fall state. Ultimately in the Kingdom they will be fully restored. As they are on the path to restoration they will show the Kingdom to the people around them.