How is Jesus’ sacrifice propitiation for our sins?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The word “propitiation” refers to a sacrifice that appeases God’s wrath. Scripture teaches that God is holy and just (Isaiah 6:3; Deuteronomy 32:4), and that sin brings death and judgment (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27). Ever since the fall, the only way to be made right with God has been through a substitute who could bear the penalty that sinners deserve (Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:22).

The Old Testament pointed to this need through its sacrificial system, where blood was required to cover sin (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). Yet it also made clear that these sacrifices were not enough (Micah 6:6-8), pointing toward a better sacrifice still to come (Hebrews 10:1-4).

Jesus is that sacrifice. Romans 3:25 says that God put Him forward as a propitiation by His blood. This means God’s justice has been fully satisfied in His death (Romans 5:9). Hebrews 2:17 and 1 John 4:10 affirm that Jesus bore the penalty that we deserved so that we could be reconciled to God (Colossians 1:20-22).

Propitiation is a real, costly blood payment for sin. Jesus died the death we earned, and for those who believe in Him, God’s wrath has been appeased (Isaiah 53:10-11; John 3:36).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Propitiation refers to a sacrifice that appeases God’s wrath, satisfying His justice so sinners can be forgiven. The need for such a sacrifice begins in Genesis. When Adam sinned, death entered the world (Genesis 2:17; 3:19). From that point forward, sin brought separation from God. Because sin requires death, the only escape for that penalty was if something or someone else died as a substitute to bear the penalty.
• The sacrificial system in the Old Testament was created because of this need. Leviticus 17:11 explains that “the life of the flesh is in the blood,” and that it is the blood that makes atonement for sin. On the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), animals were sacrificed with their blood sprinkled on the mercy seat. Because animals are not a substitute for humans, they did not completely satisfy God’s wrath against men and women. However, they pointed forward to a greater substitute who would.
• In foreshadowing that greater substitute, God provided a sacrificial lamb to the Israelites while they were in Egypt (Exodus 12:3-7) so that they could be saved from His wrath. Only those whose doors were covered by the blood of the lamb were spared (Exodus 12:12-13). In short, the lamb died so the people didn’t have to.
• Isaiah 53 foretells a suffering servant who would bear the sins of others: “He was pierced for our transgressions…. and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6). By placing iniquity (sin) on Him, the Servant was pierced as a substitution that appeases divine justice.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• While the Old Testament sacrificial system demonstrated the need for blood sacrifices, those sacrifices were insufficient. Hebrews 10:4 reminds us that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” The system was temporary, anticipating the true Lamb of God.
• The New Testament reveals that Jesus is that perfect and final Lamb. Romans 3:25 says that God put Christ forward “as a propitiation by His blood.” Because of Jesus’ death, Paul said that God was “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26b). God was just because His wrath was poured out in full. God was also the justifier because He could declare sinners as righteous because their sin had been paid.
• The author of Hebrews confirmed that Jesus was “made like his brothers in every respect” in order “to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). As fully human, He was able to fully satisfy God’s wrath, doing what no priest or animal could do. He completely bore the full weight of judgment and satisfied God’s justice.
• Second Corinthians 5:21 shows the depth of this exchange. It says that it was “for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” God treated Jesus as if He was the one who sinned and by doing that, believers can be considered righteous.
• First John 4:10 reinforces this: “He loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” God satisfied His justice by placing our guilt on His Son.
• Unlike the sacrifices that had to be repeated year after year, Jesus offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10-14). His was a complete, sufficient, and final sacrifice. It fully appeased God’s wrath so that sinners could be forgiven and declared righteous.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Propitiation helps us understand both the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s mercy. Sin is rebellion that comes with the penalty of eternal death. And yet, if you are in Christ, that judgment has already been carried out. God’s wrath was poured out on His Son in your place.

That gives you a firm foundation for assurance. Your forgiveness doesn’t depend on what you continue to do after you are saved because it is based entirely on the finished work of Jesus. If God’s wrath has already been appeased, then there is no more condemnation for you. You will never again be under judgment.

Let that knowledge lead you to worship and humility. And let it lead you to share the gospel as those who reject Jesus are rejecting the only propitiation that can satisfy God’s wrath. Let your friends and family know that there is one way that God has provided sinners to be fully forgiven while His justice is still satisfied. Call them to flee from the wrath to come.

UNDERSTAND

• God’s perfect justice requires payment for sin.
• Regular animal sacrifice was that payment during Old Testament times.
• Jesus paid for our sins once and for all, enabling those who believe in Him to have forgiveness and avoid God’s wrath.

REFLECT

• How does understanding that Jesus fully bore God’s wrath for your sins change the way you approach your faith and obedience?
• How does Jesus’ sacrifice give you confidence and assurance in your relationship with God?
• How might meditating on Jesus’ propitiation deepen your gratitude and worship of Him?

ENGAGE

• How can we clearly explain Jesus’ role as the perfect propitiation when sharing the gospel with someone unfamiliar with the concept?
• How does understanding propitiation help believers reconcile God’s justice with His mercy?
• How might the Old Testament sacrificial system help others see why Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary and sufficient?