Topical Bible: The Death of Christ was Undeserved

Bible > Topical > The Death of Christ was Undeserved

◄ The Death of Christ was Undeserved ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The death of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, viewed as the pivotal event in the narrative of redemption. From a biblical perspective, the death of Christ was undeserved, as He was sinless and righteous, fulfilling the role of the perfect sacrificial Lamb. This entry explores the scriptural basis for the innocence of Christ and the theological implications of His undeserved death.

Scriptural Basis for Christ's Innocence

1. Sinlessness of Christ: The New Testament consistently affirms the sinlessness of Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:22, it is written, "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth." This echoes the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9, which foretold that the Messiah would be without deceit or violence. The sinlessness of Christ is further emphasized in Hebrews 4:15, which states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."

2. Testimonies of Innocence: Various figures in the Gospels testify to the innocence of Jesus. Pilate, the Roman governor, after examining Jesus, declared, "I find no basis for a charge against Him" (John 18:38). Similarly, Pilate's wife warned him, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man" (Matthew 27:19). Even Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, confessed, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4).

3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The undeserved suffering of Christ was prophesied in the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:5-6 describes the suffering servant who was "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities," yet it was "the LORD who laid on Him the iniquity of us all." This passage highlights the substitutionary nature of Christ's death, underscoring that He suffered not for His own sins, but for the sins of humanity.

Theological Implications

1. Substitutionary Atonement: The undeserved death of Christ is foundational to the doctrine of substitutionary atonement. As the sinless Lamb of God, Jesus bore the penalty of sin on behalf of humanity. 2 Corinthians 5:21 articulates this truth: "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This exchange underscores the grace and mercy of God, who provided a means of reconciliation through the sacrifice of His Son.

2. Justification and Redemption: The undeserved death of Christ is integral to the believer's justification and redemption. Romans 3:24-25 explains that believers "are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood." Through Christ's death, believers are declared righteous and are redeemed from the bondage of sin.

3. Exemplary Suffering: The undeserved suffering of Christ serves as an example for believers. 1 Peter 2:21 encourages Christians to follow in His steps, stating, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps." The patience and humility of Christ in the face of unjust suffering provide a model for enduring trials and persecution.

The death of Christ, though undeserved, is a profound demonstration of divine love and justice. It is through His innocent suffering that believers find forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 53:9
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ the Saviour Even of Infants; Christ, when an Infant, was ...
... ever existed in the infant Christ which we ... Nevertheless, the death is inflicted in
sinful ... went straightway, and encountered His undeserved death, having become ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 48 christ the saviour even.htm

Not Death Alone, but Sin Also Has Passed into us by Means of Adam.
... only mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who condescended to undergo
death"that is ... them to whom He was about to give undeserved life, He ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 6 not death alone but.htm

The Calling and the Kingdom
... in the Christian's salvation, but all is to be traced to undeserved, gracious love. ...
Christ is that to which we are summoned, and the death of Christ is that ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the calling and the kingdom.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... On the contrary, we hold them to have been wholly undeserved; and instead ... far as
all human government is concerned; whereas the death of Christ, in relation ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

Christ the End of the Law
... for in forma pauperis, to be asked for as an undeserved boon from ... broken, and we
became condemned thereby, but now, having suffered death in Christ, we are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 22 1876/christ the end of the.htm

Jesus the Scapegoat.
... the sight of a holy and loving person, enduring sorrows and opposition and death
wholly undeserved, that is at all times affecting in the experience of Christ. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxiv jesus the scapegoat.htm

Whether the Pain of Christ's Passion was Greater than all Other ...
... and of the others who sinned in His death chiefly of ... he deems the hurt inflicted
to be the more undeserved. ... Reply to Objection 6: Christ willed to deliver the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the pain of christs.htm

The Obedience of Christ.
... of a servant"who humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death.'. ... 6. In Christ this
obedience was of faith ... by the Father's unceasing and undeserved bestowment of ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/ii the obedience of christ.htm

Zwinglian Confessions.
... was never laid before the Diet, and was treated with undeserved contempt. ... of the
two natures in the one person of Christ, his death, resurrection, ascension ...
/.../ 51 zwinglian confessions.htm

The Sin-Bearer.
... If these sufferings are entirely undeserved, and we are grossly slandered, we shall
be ... to sins." We were born in sin, but by the death of Christ, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the sin-bearer.htm