Here's a fascinating discussion: Did Jesus need to be justified?
If we truly believe that Jesus was condemned in his death on the cross, and further that he "bore our sins in his body on the tree..." (1 Peter 2:24) doesn't that mean that Jesus was sin (2 Cor. 5:21)? Doesn't that mean that Jesus, who literally became sin in place of us, needed to be justified (and sanctified)? Just wondering if anyone has some thoughts?
Have you thought of this? Have you considered what it means that Jesus bore our sins in his body? If it's true that Jesus needed to be justified, what does that mean for us in our justification (since believers are "in Christ")?
6 comments:
Well we know Jesus is highly exalted. (Philippians) So at some point He was justified, perhaps because of His obedience.
Jesus didn't need to be justified. We need justification, because we need someone to not only pay for our sins, but also cloth us with righteousness. Jesus PAID the price. He suffered the consequences of the whole world's sin. And His righteousness came from Himself. He was perfect and righteous.
So, Jesus didn't need to be justified since He paid for the sin He bore and was righteous on His own standing.
Was Jesus made sin (unrighteous) when he died the substitutionary death on our behalf?
Yes Matt, He was. But He was the spotless Lamb, the perfect sacrifice. He was simultaneously Righteous and our sin. Just as we are both sinners and saints.
It was in this very obedience that He was justified, in becoming sin, He fulfilled His righteous purpose on earth.
Thoughts?
When Jesus took on the guilt, condemnation, and death on the cross in his own body, he was unrighteous. Fully unrighteous. Why? Because the only way to atone for sins is to be the sin-bearer. He bore our transgressions in himself. Surely God would not inflict his conscious torment and wrath on a righteous individual?
Jesus, on the cross, was unrighteous. Upon dying a sinners death on the cross, his death and condemnation was identical to that of any human being who dies apart from faith in Jesus (times infinity). But, at his resurrection, the Spirit justified him by raising him to new life; that is, eternal life (hence his glorification).
Our doctrine of justification should affirm that we are merely justified because we are united to Jesus Christ. There aren't millions of little justifications happening, but we (the Church) are justified together with Jesus Christ because we are united to him in a one-flesh and very intimate union (Eph. 5). We are justified on the basis that we participate in his resurrection from the dead. So in reality, Jesus is the one who is really justified (and we get the benefit of justification ONLY because we are united to him).
That's long, sorry. This is crucial though, because we must embrace that Eph. 5 truth about the gospel. We are really Jesus' body, and he really exists as a person at this very moment. We really are justified and we really are righteous because we are "hidden in Him."
No wonder Paul was always saying, "it is a mystery..."
I have never heard anyone ask this question before. Great thoughts though Matt. It is very important. I'll have to be thinking of it some more because I would also agree that Jesus became sin (2 Cor. 5:21) and therefore was unrighteous at that moment.
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