Death on Purpose for a Purpose

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This message is based on a text in 1 Peter 3 which speaks about Christ's suffering and death. It includes a phrase that indicates the real purpose for His suffering. This message was used to remind the listeners of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for our salvation, and was given for a worship service in which the sacrament of communion was shared.

Written Excerpts:

1 Peter 3:18 ^(NKJV) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit

Introduction:

Today we are going to be sharing the sacrament of communion, which I always try to do on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving Day.

Communion is also sometimes referred to as “The Eucharist.” In fact, in more traditional mainline denominations, it is almost always called “The Eucharist.” Eucharist is a word that comes from the Greek word that almost sounds the same – ευχαριστεω, (eucharisteo) which means “to give thanks.”
Today, as we count our blessings and offer our thanks to almighty God for all His benefits and blessings, we want to also take time to give thanks for the blessing of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary.

The text I’ve chosen today seems to emphasize two primary thoughts to me.

1. Christ died on purpose.
2. Christ died for a purpose.

I.    Christ died on purpose.

“Christ also once suffered…”

The verb suffered, in the original Greek is in the verb form that denotes an active verb, not passive. This means that the verse is not emphasizing his being put to death by someone else, or passively experiencing suffering. Instead, it seems to focus on Him actively choosing to suffer for us.

The same principle is certainly supported in the very well-known passage in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, He did not consider his position of equality with God as something to be held onto, but he took on the form of man and became obedient unto death.

Jesus stated clearly in the Gospel of John: John 10:17-18 ^(NKJV) Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

Jesus Christ purposely surrendered His life and submitted to suffering; even the ultimate suffering of death.

With this point following so closely after Peter’s admonition to those believers who were suffering (vv. 13-17), Peter is reminding them that Jesus also suffered. He was the “Righteous One” suffering for the “unrighteous ones.” And, Jesus was victorious in his suffering.

Other references to Christ’s suffering:

Acts 17:1-3 ^(NKJV) Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ² Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."

Hebrews 2:9 ^(NKJV) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – The suffering of death is a major problem to all men, but is a particular problem for the Son of God unless some explanation of it can be given. The suffering itself belongs to a less exalted status than that of the angels, hence the statement applied to Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels (which could also be rendered 'a little' instead of 'a little while').

Hebrews 13:12 ^(NKJV) Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

The New Testament lays so much emphasis on the suffering of Christ as a man, and His suffering is so much greater than any man has ever known. All of the suffering was intentionally experienced and endured for the benefit of us all.

II.  Christ died for a purpose.

“…suffered once for sins… that he might bring us to God.”

According to this phrase, the purpose of his suffering was to bring us to God. Obviously this statement implies that we were away from God; estranged from God; and separated from God.

The suffering of Christ was for the purpose of reuniting us with our Creator, our Father in heaven. So many time in previous sermons I have stressed this separation from God because of our sins. Paul says we were foreigners, aliens, strangers, outside of the household of God. But we have been given access into the very throne room of heaven because of the suffering and victory of Christ.

His act of suffering to the point of death brings us access to God (see v. 22).

1 Peter 3:22 ^(NKJV) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

After the resurrection, Jesus went back to heaven and was seated at the right hand of God the Father, which sheds some additional light on the phrase, “that He might bring us to God.” His suffering not only brings us to God in the sense of RESTORING our severed, estranged relationship, but what He endured also brings us to God in the sense of taking us into heaven in the very presence of God, just like Jesus did.

Conclusion:

Today, we pause again to offer our thanks to God for the suffering of His Son in our place. 

Before we share the elements of communion, let us sing: Lamb of Glory.