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We believe
that Jesus Christ is a high priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek--
made such by an oath--
and that he presented himself
in our name
before his Father,
to appease his wrath
with full satisfaction
by offering himself
on the tree of the cross
and pouring out his precious blood
for the cleansing of our sins,
as the prophets had predicted.
For it is written
that "the chastisement of our peace"
was placed on the Son of God
and that "we are healed by his wounds."
He was "led to death as a lamb";
he was "numbered among sinners"45
and condemned as a criminal by Pontius Pilate,
though Pilate had declared
that he was innocent.
So he paid back
what he had not stolen,46
and he suffered--
the "just for the unjust,"47
in both his body and his soul--
in such a way that
when he senses the horrible punishment
required by our sins
his sweat became like "big drops of blood
falling on the ground."48
He cried, "My God, my God,
why have you abandoned me?"49
And he endured all this
for the forgiveness of our sins.
Therefore we rightly say with Paul that
we "know nothing but Jesus and him crucified";50
we consider all things as "dung
for the excellence of the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ."51
We find all comforts in his wounds
and have no need to seek or invent any other means
to reconcile ourselves with God
than this one and only sacrifice,
once made,
which renders believers perfect
forever.
This is also why
the angel of God called him Jesus--
that is, "Savior"--
because he would save his people
from their sins.52
45 Isa. 53:4-12
46 Ps. 69:4
47 1 Pet. 3:18
48 Luke 22:44
49 Matt. 27:46
50 1 Cor. 2:2
51 Phil. 3:8
52 Matt. 1:21 |
