Required reading
Christ's doctrine of the atonement by George Smeaton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 3 by reading Sections XXIII and XXIV.
My summary
This week Smeaton finishes his rather lengthy Chapter Three.
Firstly we see that Jesus' death demonstrates his sin-bearing task. Smeaton examines in particular Christ's:
(i) arrest;
(ii) trial and sentence before the ecclesiastical court on the charge of blasphemy;
(iii) mockery;
(iv) trial and condemnation at the bar of the Roman governor on a charge of rebellion;
(v) crucifixion.
Secondly Smeaton examines the connection between Christ's atonement and his resurrection - in particular the fact that Christ was raised as he was found to be sinless.
What grabbed me
I liked how Smeaton drew out the significance of Christ's trial before Pilate: 'We must notice this anomalous trial in connection with the fact that He was sentenced as guilty while pronounced innocent. The examination of the judge was meant to serve the important purpose of manifesting the innocence of Jesus. And the startling fact, that a judge pronounces Him innocent, but condemns Him as guilty, must be historically brought about in the adorable providence of God, in order to exhibit the personal and the official in the Lord Jesus ; or, in other words, to discover the sinless one and the sin-bearer.'
It is uncanny that the human court portrayed the precise truth about Jesus.
Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 4 by reading Sections XXV and XXVI.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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