A Bible lesson by Ivor Jefferies
1. What did Jesus accomplish for us through his death on the cross?
Read Isa. 53:5, Matt. 8:16-17, 20:28, Rom. 5:8-10, 1 Cor. 6:20, 2 Cor. 5:21, Gal. 1:4, 3:13, Eph. 2:16, Col. 2:14, Tit. 2:14, Heb. 2:14-15, 9:14, 10:14, 19, 1 Pet. 1:18-19, 2:21, 24, 3:18.
Jesus did not potentially accomplish salvation, waiting for someone to accept it. Rather, He secured salvation for us (Heb. 9:12). In the Old Testament Aaron did not merely bring a general sacrifice hoping that someone would accept it, but he had specific people in mind, their names having been written on his heart and shoulders (Lev. 16:15, 33-34, Exo. 28:12, 29-30). It is the same with Jesus (Isa. 49:16, Heb. 7:25). Therefore every true believer can say, “Jesus died for me and He is praying for me; not merely for the world in general.”
2. According to John 3:16 Jesus died for the world. What does the word "world" mean in the Bible, and how does John use it here?
Read Luke 2:1, John 12:19, Acts 17:24, 1 John 2:15-17, and John 10:16, 11:51-52, Rom. 11:12, 15, Rev. 5:9.
1 John 2:2 calls Jesus “the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” Like Peter and James, John was an apostle to the Jews (Gal. 2:9). He probably wrote his letter to them (cf. Jas. 1:1, 1 Pet. 1:1). He knew that they were proud of the fact that God chose them to be his people, and that He revealed his Word to them (Deut. 7:6, Ps. 147:19-20). Now he reminds them that Jesus did not only die for the Jews, but for the Gentiles also: “for the sins of the whole world.” He is indeed the Saviour of the world, who gave Himself as a ransom for people from every nation, and from every walk of life (John 4:42, 1 John 4:14, 1 Tim. 2:1-7, Tit. 2:11, 1-10). As our propitiation He removes God’s wrath from us, and as our Advocate He intercedes for all those for whom He died (1 John 2:1, 4:10).
3. Who are these people for whom Christ secured an eternal salvation?
Read Matt. 1:21, John 10:15, 15:13, 17:9, 19-20, Acts 20:28, Rom. 8:29-30, 32-34, Eph. 1:4-7, 5:25.
Those who refuse to repent will pay the penalty for their own sins, and must not claim that Christ paid their fine. To punish Christ for Judas’ sins, and then punish Judas for the same sins would be to demand a double payment. God is not unjust, but accepted the death of Jesus on the cross as payment for the sins of all his people (Isa. 53:8c).
4. How does this knowledge help you as you share the gospel with sinners?
Read Matt. 11:25-30, John 3:16-17,1 6:37, 39-40, 44, 65, 10:3-4, 11, 26-29, Acts 18:9-10, 13:46-48, 2 Tim. 2:10.
1 https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/in-what-sense-did-christ-die-for-the-non-elect