Topic 11 Significance of Jesus’ death

Question 1

Traditional interpretation: explain the idea of sacrifice for sin

Answer 1

1. Jews had atonement sacrifice -> blood of animals sprinkled on altar to purify ppl from past sins
2. Jesus shedding blood on cross 🩸-> more powerful than any animal + able to purify humanity

Fundamentalists talk about being ‘washed clean by the blood of the lamb’

Question 2

Traditional interpretation: victory over evil

Answer 2

1. Early Christian teachers -> taught that jesus defeated devil by dying on cross + that he conquered death (conquers power of evil, shows god’s power to do this)

Question 3

Traditional interpretation: justice of god is satisfied

Answer 3

1. Ppl have sinned + stand guilty before god
2. God = holy + loving but also demands justice -> so he became man + took punishment of sin himself (restoring relationship between us and god)

Question 4

Modern interpretation: demonstrates love and forgiveness of god

Answer 4

1. God showed ppl how to live via jesus
2. Ppl had choice of how to respond to jesus and they crucified him
3. Shows ppl that god = love + he forgives no matter what we have done

Question 5

Modern interpretation: god can identify with our suffering

Answer 5

1. Cross shows god knows what suffering is via jesus

2. Ppl find comfort in this as he understands

Question 6

Modern interpretation: evil is overcome good

Answer 6

1. Cross shows god has entered all the darkness of world thru death of jesus
2. However he came through other side + showed in the end that good > evil 💪

Question 7

What do Christians do as a result of Jesus’ death?

Answer 7

1. Celebrate Easter
2. Celebrate communion -> remember Jesus’ self sacrifice
3. Don’t fear death
4. Prayer -> jesus sets an example