What Is the Point of the Cross if Jesus Already Had the Power to Forgive Sins?

The Bible says that Jesus had the authority to forgive sins on earth. Even before he died. Does that diminish the meaning of the cross. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. At 833, the court, that's 1-833-843-2673 and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today. If you use Amazon's Alexa or Apples theory. Here's something you should know researchers in Germany have compiled a list of more than 1000 words and phrases that will inadvertently cause Alexa theory and other virtual assistants to become activated.

Once activated the virtual assistants create recordings and according to the research team.

This has alarming implications for user privacy likely means that short recordings of personal conversations could periodically end up in the hands of Amazon, Apple, Google or Microsoft employees. For example, normally Amazon's Alexa is activated by simply saying Alexa, but the team found that Alexa could also be activated by saying words like unacceptable election a letter and tobacco. Apples theory is called into action by saying Hayes theory, but the researchers found it could also be activated by saying things like a city.

And hey, Jerry, so a drill. Be careful because big brother could be listening in on you yet well you know what Jesus said you have to give an account for every careless word.

So what at what illustration there right like it is kinda creepy thinking that boy my phone or my computer might be listening into my conversation with my wife or something like that but I think we often don't think about the fact that every single thing we say we go according to Jesus to give an account for every minute that you think the Lord that we heard forgiven and justified through the blood of Jesus Christ of his sacrifice for us, it's our only hope that's right what's go to our first call of the day.

Robert Green yeah I mean talk about opening up in some pretty deep biblical waters. Daniel has this vision in Daniel chapter 7. I dream Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed and he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel said I saw in my vision by night, and behold the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea and four great beasts came out of the sea different from one another and then he goes on to describe these really monsters like Frankenstein type beasts that are representative of worldly kingdoms, earthly kingdoms with so interesting about these kinds of passages and were looking at here in Daniel seven and then also in the book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature we read this stuff with a belongs in a science fiction novel you. You have this this piece. You know like a bear raised up on one side three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told to rise, devour much flesh… Walking hunchback bear, and it really is a monster.

What's interesting is the sea in the ancient world was this place of tumbled, it was often that the world, the nations were depicted as the CDC of the people in here you have out of the sea monsters coming for 30 some years ago there were some reports you're off the coast of Southern California that the yellow bellied sea snake was cropping up. Is this poisonous snake and so people were afraid to go to the beach for a while you imagine those things are supposed to stay in the water but can you imagine if the yellow bellied sea snake grew legs wings and had a fangs made it go from being in a like, don't go to the beach that don't leave your house, but that's happening in Daniel seven.

Even in the book of Revelation. These geese that are described the focus of these taxes it's God showing us one that he knows the history of mankind into the great kingdoms of this world that we often think our grand and wonderful, even beautiful in God's eyes to his perspective. He sees all the saying all the corruption they look sometimes like beasts monsters to trample down his people and you see that in Daniel and you see that also. In Revelation 1 of the comforts were supposed to receive from this kind of literature. Apocalyptic literature is that God knows all things and that he's in control of the beautiful thing about Daniel chapter 7 and the vision of the four beasts.

It's followed up by the Son of Man who is given authority over the whole world. Daniel seven continues in verse 13 I saw in the night visions, and behold with the clouds of heaven, there came one like the Son of Man, and he came to the ancient of days and was presented before him and to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him. In other words, these great beasts, the kingdoms of the world that are described in Daniel and their described in the book of Revelation are one day all going to bow the knee to Jesus. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom, one that will not be destroyed in the Bible in Daniel and Revelation.

The kingdoms of this world are often depicted as these monsters to trample on the people of God but one day those kingdoms will be done away with in his Jesus promised his kingdom. His church will never have the gates of hell prevail against it.

Skin is spread throughout the whole world cover the earth so that the glory of God covers the face of the earth, and so is as mysterious and as enigmatic as these passages tend to be one of the reasons we often avoid the apocalyptic literature. We don't want to read Revelation, or this section of Daniel you. Let's read the earlier chapters of Daniel. Daniel in the lion's den. Those those sections but this stuff I just don't even know how to interpret I'm ready to get a read that well actually it's meant to be a huge comfort to us to you as you think about the fact that God rules over the world.

Even the terrible nations of the world and that one day they will all bow to the Son of Man. What a great promise. Thank you Andrew and Robert, thank you for your question.

Here is an email question that came in from Chris and Chris says since God is all-knowing, and since he also said his son for us, for whom or for what precisely is Jesus interceding that's a great question. Well, when we talk about the intercession the prayers of Jesus, we are referring to the fact that as our high priest, he prays on behalf of his people. The priestly work of Jesus included first, his sacrificial death on the cross for us. The atonement he is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and that's done.

Hebrews talks about that being a once for all offering. He's put away sin for all time. Is this not like under the old covenant were you had the blood of bulls and goats, and in these animals were continually offered in the author. The Hebrew says it was his constant reminder of sin and the fact that just can't be put away. It can't be fully cleansed. But then Jesus, the eternal son of God came in with his precious blood made a full and final atonement so that there is nothing else that can be offered for sinners to put away their sins. That's done. But Jesus is continuing a priestly ministry right now by offering up prayers for his people. You see this in Romans chapter 8 where it talks about his intercession for us to see this in the book of Hebrews, where it also talks about him, praying for us and I think you see this throughout about one of the place that you see this is such a beautiful way to get if the text of Scripture that we often I don't think recognize the implications as in acts chapter 7 if you're familiar with. Acts chapter 7. That's when Stephen was stoned to death.

Acts chapter 7. Beginning in verse 54 says when they heard these things, they were enraged and they ground their teeth at Stephen but he full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man that that language from from Daniel again so interesting. The Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

They cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed together at him and that that's when they kill him. But note, as Stephen is about to die he sees the Son of Man, Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and let me tell you something. That's the only place where Jesus is described as standing at the right hand of the father everywhere else is described as being seated at the right hand of God went over and over again in the New Testament, but here he is standing will you know what the ancient world standing was the primary posture of prayer we pray will were sitting down or laying in bed in the Bible there were these postures of prayer. You know you pray on your face, or on your knees or while you were standing.

It was this picture of being attentive, praying to the Lord with attentiveness will hear the high priest, the great high priest, Jesus, as Stephen is being stoned to death is standing as he sees him. He's been roused from his heavenly throne and I think that the reason the text tells us that he standing is because he's offering up his prayers. His intercession for Stephen. What a beautiful picture.

This is for us. You know so often in our suffering we think this Jesus notice does he see will hear what we have Stephen in the darkest moment of his life, as he's being stoned to death. Jesus is watching. He stood up from his throne.

He's attentive and he's praying. Who does Jesus pray for his people. When we suffer when were struggling with sin. John tells us in first John we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous Christian Jesus prays for you. Thanks for your question by man you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez. I'm Bill Meyer and today we are offering our new 100 page softcover workbook for the gospel of John and Indra, can you explain why this is such a helpful study for believers yeah well it does a lot of the heavy lifting for you me it takes the deep truth of John's Gospel drops them right in your lap so that you can start living in light of those truths today.

A lot of us want. We read the Bible we don't always know how to make it happen. Each of the weekly lessons during this study looks at a specific passage highlights key themes and probes your heart with reflection questions come away with a better understanding of not just the gospel of John, but the entire story of the Scriptures, the drama of the Bible. This gospel is one of my favorite books and all of the Bible in this study is a fantastic guide that will engage you from start to finish. That's why you should get a hold of it had over to core Christianity.com/Gospel of John to get your copy of our new Bible study today.

By the way, one of our long-time supporters who are core Christianity even made a special donation so that any of our listeners can get this workbook for free. That's right, we are giving away our Gospel of John study workbook for free to take advantage of this special gift from us here at core Christianity just head over to core Christianity.com/Gospel of John and get your copy today. You can also give us a call for any one of our offers at 833-843-2673. That's 833, the court okay relist go to a question that was posted on her Facebook accounts only ask this if I had spiritual mentors who led me the wrong way and told me to do things that were wrong. Did I send to at the time I was very naïve and I still have because I have Asperger's syndrome, but now I know what they told me to do was wrong and I wonder about verses like Mark 942 and Leviticus 517 I solely am so sorry to hear about your experience.

It grieves me and I know it grieves Jesus the text you're referring to Mark chapter 9 verse 42 whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled, than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.

It is better for you to enter life lame, than with 2 feet to be thrown into hell. If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out.

It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell where there is a worm that does not die in the fire is not quenched for everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt is lost at saltiness, how will you make it salty again have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.

Jesus said here this this section of Scripture is really focusing on temptations to sin and things that cause us to see if your hand causes you to sin, got it off of your foot causes you to sin, cut off, and of course Jesus is not speaking literally here is talking about the violent attitude we should have against our sins not against other people. Note be at peace with other people be at war with your sin, John Owen, the great Puritan said be killing center sin will be killing you. Paul in Romans eight says that by the spirit we mortify we put to death the deeds of the body, but so you're right. Sometimes ungodly leaders, false shepherds can lead the children of God astray. God knows all things maybe holds us accountable for. In particular, you know what we know at and the level of authority that we have Jesus over and over again, he rebukes the Pharisees because of their spiritual position their authority they're going to receive greater condemnation is deleting the children of God, the sheep astray.

We often said this before you know were both sinners, but were also send against and I think that God is compassionate toward those who have been led astray who been taught false things now that doesn't mean that we don't necessarily at times also engage in said I don't know your situation. But what my gut reaction solely as it sounds like you know you were sinned against you were misled you were deceived and Jesus knows that sees that and I think it angers, our Lord, especially when spiritual teachers, people who were meant to lead us in the ways of the Lord, don't. This is why James says in James chapter 3 verse one let not many of you become teachers breath written knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment that here's what you need to know. I like people are going to lead us astray at times and if it if you're under a ministry where false teachers pastors are leading people into sin. You need to get out of that remedy is not what God calls to think about what Peter said all throughout second Peter warning the church against false teachers were filled with sensuality and greed, who lead the people astray who entice Peter says, unsteady, unstable souls are going to receive greater condemnation, but so here's what you can know Jesus, the good Shepherd pursues you, loves you sees the pain that you've experienced sees where you've been misled, deceived, and he will not mislead you. He will not deceive you.

His word is true. A sheep hear his voice, and they follow him and he gives them eternal life. Set your eyes solely upon Jesus and rest in him and I hope you get into a church, rather why you're encouraged where the pastor there is teaching God's word faithfully and encouraging US one of God's children to walk with Jesus and to love Jesus. So if you're not in a good church you need to get in a good church but no Jesus, the good Shepherd is also the best leader set your eyes upon him and let him guide you brother solely thank you so much for your question will be praying for you on this whole situation, or listening to core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez and would love to hear from you.

If you have a question for us. You can call us anytime at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 Chris posted this on Instagram. If the purpose of the cross was to redeem man and forgives sins why do we see Jesus in the Gospels, forgiving people sins. Why did he need to go to the cross at all if he could forgive sins on earth. If Jesus had this authority all along. Couldn't he have just forgiven everyone great question look all forgiveness flows from the cross. Even the types and shadows of the Old Testament, the sacrificial system ready all believers is absolutely clear it's impossible that the blood of bulls and goats could ever truly forgive sin what they do is they point us to the one this would happen or the Old Testament did do these types and shadows pointed us to the one who could put away sin once for all, and his blood is what cleanses all sin, even the past sins, now it is clear as you say that Jesus demonstrates even prior to the cross that he had authority to forgive sin. I think for example of Mark chapter 2 that wonderful scene where a couple of guys bring their friend was a paralytic to Jesus, they lower him into a room where Jesus is that through the roof and everybody is is there right you can imagine the scene like there's a crowd in this living room and this paralytic has just been dropped in through the roof lower down slowly and everyone is thinking, oh boy. Jesus is going up to heal this paralytic in the first thing Jesus says is son, your sins are forgiven. Everybody therefrom with what Jesus I don't think that's why he's here, I think, is looking for. You know his is paralysis to be healed. But Jesus the son, your sins are forgiven and some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts. Why does this man speak like that he is blaspheming who can forgive sins but God alone and immediately Jesus perceiving his spirit that they thus question within themselves said to them, why do you question these things in your hearts, which is easier to say to the paralytic, your sins are forgiven, or to say rise, take up your bed and walk that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. He said that the paralytic rise pick up your bed and go home.

In other words, the focus of Jesus's ministry is the forgiveness of sins. Even the healing of this man's paralysis is only done to demonstrate that he has authority on earth as the Son of Man, Daniel chapter 7. That's with that language comes from the Son of Man as the Son of Man, to forgive sins. Why because he's going up put sins away once for all through his blood because he's God, there's no II think contradiction here between Jesus's authority here in what is ultimately going to do all forgiveness flows from the cross on this side of the cross and prior to the cross all forgiveness flows from the blood of Jesus from his atonement that puts away sin for the people of God in the Old Testament system. All of it pointed to that reality. Let me just say one more thing for you. Listening right now the most important thing that Jesus did, we often want Jesus to do so many things for us to know the most important thing that he did was what he came for, it wasn't to give me a great, happy and healthy life, necessarily, not at all. He came as the Lamb of God who puts away the sins of the world he made atonement for the sins of his people, so that trusting in him you might have a clear conscience forgiven and resting in your salvation by faith.

Thank you Israel. This is core Christianity, we have time for one last question. This is an email that came in from Canada and he says I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins and was raised from the dead. My life is full of testimony, but I struggle with whether or not I've been made new. I don't have an awe-inspiring story of when I initially gave my life to Christ.

I started to volunteer with youth I want to be positive and careful with what light I can shine half had been in those meetings where everybody sharing their testimony, and it's kinda like people are one upping each other like all this is the terrible life that I use the lead and then I came to Jesus in the next verse is all well let me tell you what I did.

And a lot of us. I think don't feel like we have those stories and it can be kind of discouraging. We can wonder, am I really a new creation. Well, here's what the Scripture says, second Corinthians chapter 5, beginning in verse 16. From now on. Therefore we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh regarding thus no longer.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation the old has passed away. Behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation that is in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, counting their trespasses against them, but entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Brother don't look inside and try to think well.

How cool is my Christian testimony my really a new creation.

The question is do you trust in Jesus, do you believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. If you do you know that the Holy Spirit is with you because no one pulse that can say that Jesus is Lord except by the holy and if you are united to Christ by faith I can tell you, on the basis of God's word. Whether you feel like it or not you are a new creation.

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