Christus Victor

May 27

Read: Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Christus Victor

“For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (v. 4:15)

Jesus’ obedience and perfect life are as important for us as his death. While death on the cross pays the price for our sin, his perfect life and obedience is what conquers sin on our behalf. Jesus was and is victorious over sin. His perfect life is given to us - it is counted as our own. We tend to focus so much on the cross that we lose sight of the rest of Jesus’ life and how it ALL WORKS TOGETHER. This becomes clear for us when we look at some of the other passages in the bible concerning how humanity got into trouble with sin in the first place:

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and so death spread to all men…Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come…But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many…Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. - Romans 5:12,14-15,18-19

If adam’s disobedience put us under the curse of sin, it was Jesus’ OBEDIENCE that pulls us out. Do you see that in the Romans passage above? “For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous” It is Jesus’ obedience that makes us righteous. His death may pay the price for our sins… the penalty… but his OBEDIENCE makes us righteous. It transforms us. The indwelling presence of Christ in us transforms us. Jesus was tempted and did not sin, therefore his presence in us means we too can be tempted and not sin. If adams disobedience can be counted as our own (original sin / federal headship) so too Jesus’ obedience can be counted for us. If Adam’s disobedience actually affects us… changes us… then Jesus’ obedience can and does as well.

In this way, Jesus is victorious over sin on our behalf. He is freeing us from sin. His obedience is every bit as crucial as his sacrifice. God appointed the Son to be our high priest - our representative - as much as he set up Adam in the beginning. Adam was a “type of the one who was to come”. (cf. Romans 5) The obedience of Christ during his life is an active part of freeing us from sin as God’s people. It goes beyond simply making him a fit sacrifice on the cross… it was accomplishing something in and of itself. The perfect life of Christ was an “act of righteousness” that leads to “justification and life”. (cf. Romans 5)

God chose Jesus to represent you and I as his children. (v. 5:1) He appointed him on our behalf. Jesus’ obedience is the antidote for sin… it is the undoing of Adam’s disobedience. (cf. Romans 5) The perfect life of Christ frees us from being salves to sin… it conquers sin on our behalf. (cf. Rom. 6) Jesus has undone what Adam did. This truth is not just something “counted on your behalf” like some legal transaction, but it is actually a reality and power experienced via Christ in you. As much as Adam’s sin actually impacted your life, feelings, emotions, and actions so does Jesus’ life. It is time to open our eyes to the fuller… broader.. more wide-reaching picture of what Jesus has done. Every aspect of Jesus’ life is important and significant. Jesus has a solution for every problem that plagues humanity. The power to face temptation and not sin dwells within because Christ dwells within you! Thank you Lord for appointing us a high-priest like Jesus!