Most people, who know anything about Jesus Christ, understand that He died a criminal's death on a Roman execution cross.  But surprisingly few people know why He died.  Paul explains that it was no accident or miscarriage of justice.  God offered His own Son as an innocent sacrifice to be punished - so that sinful humans, whose rebellion provoked God’s wrath, could be at peace with Him (Isaiah 53:5-6).  

The English word ‘atonement’ means to enter into unity (‘at-one-ment’), and to be reconciled.  The Hebrew word also has the idea of ‘purging away’ and ‘covering over’ every sin.  The Greek word used here is also translated ‘propitiation’ – the action of appeasing God’s anger by removing what is offensive.  These words get to the heart of the reason for the cross (John 1:29).  And He did it because He loves us (1John 4:10).

God cannot be criticised for His wrath against sinners – firstly, because He has chosen not to punish them while He waits for them to repent (2 Peter 3:9); and secondly, when they do, God presents His own sacrifice of Jesus who has already paid for all their sins (1 John 2:1-2).  Justice is satisfied: the sinless Son of God was punished instead of us.  The wrath of God, against our sins, fell onto Jesus, so that we can be ‘at one’ with God; those who were His enemies can be reconciled to Him (Colossians 1:22).  None of the Old Testament sacrifices could take sin away; they all looked forward to what Jesus would do (Hebrews 9:23-28).

Does that mean that Jesus' death is a passport for everybody into His kingdom?  No!  It is to be ‘received by faith’ (Revelation 3:19-20).  Only those who believe that He died instead of them will be saved.  As they admit their sinfulness and seek His mercy, so the benefit of Christ's death becomes theirs.  But many people do not know that.  So how are they to be saved?  The answer is simple - we tell them - www.crosscheck.org.uk tells the whole story.   Today, think about your friends who do not know Jesus, and consider your responsibility towards them to tell them that Jesus Christ came into the world to save them from God’s wrath (1 Timothy 1:15), and encourage them to unburden all their sins onto Jesus and receive Him (John 1:12).  Your words could change their eternal destiny.