In this chapter, we learn what the gospel actually is: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Good news is not a slogan. It is a sacrifice. On the cross, Jesus was the Lamb on the altar and the High Priest applying the blood — and when His work was finished, God tore the veil Himself.
The way in is open. For everyone. Forever. So what are you still standing outside of?
Main Points
The gospel is the good news that God came as a man—the Son of God, Jesus Christ—lived a sinless life, died in our place to pay the debt owed for our sins, as a consequence of His death was buried, but triumphed over death, raising again to life on the third day according to the Scriptures.
Love fuels the gospel. A radical love that will go to any length and pay any price.
Sin could only be atoned for through the shedding of innocent blood, but no one qualified as innocent, so God became a man, and did the job Himself.
When the blood touched the Mercy Seat, God pushed back the judgment that was due. In the Old Testament, mercy was expressed as delayed judgment, but Jesus did not merely delay judgment—He vanquished it.
God Himself tore the veil from the top down, and access to His presence is no longer restricted.
On the cross, Jesus was both the sacrifice and the one making the sacrifice. This is why He could say, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The gospel is not only good news to hear but good news to experience.
Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on the following questions.
What truths have I learned in this chapter?
In what ways have my present beliefs been challenged or strengthened?
If you are walking through this section with a person or group, take time to share your responses.
Discussion
Get ready to talk.
If you are walking through this section with a person or group, get some dialogue going with the following questions and corresponding points.
1. The gospel is the good news that God came as a man—the Son of God, Jesus Christ—lived a sinless life, died in our place to pay the debt owed for our sins, as a consequence of His death was buried, but triumphed over death, raising again to life on the third day according to the Scriptures.
The word gospel simply means good news. What makes the death of a man good news?
Jesus walked to His own execution—not out of obligation, and not because He had no other choice. Why did He go?
The resurrection is what proved Jesus’ victory over sin and death was secure. Would there even be “good news” without it?
2. Love fuels the gospel. A radical love that will go to any length and pay any price.
What is it about us that makes God willing to pay any price to redeem us?
Our debt was immense and our judgment was impending. But Jesus paid the bill. What did our sin actually cost God?
If Jesus paid the fee for your worst sins, why are you still holding onto the bill?
3. Sin could only be atoned for through the shedding of innocent blood, but no one qualified as innocent, so God became a man, and did the job Himself.
God loved us so much, that He refused to let us be lost. Take a moment and ponder the greatness of His love for you & me.
God didn’t send someone else to do the job. He did it Himself. He came. How does that impact your view of Jesus, and His sacrifice?
Sin could only be atoned for by innocent blood, and not one of us had any to offer. If God had chosen not to come, where would that have left us?
4. When the blood touched the Mercy Seat, God pushed back the judgment that was due. In the Old Testament, mercy was expressed as delayed judgment, but Jesus did not merely delay judgment—He vanquished it.
Scripture says mercy triumphs over judgment. The word behind it means to boast and glory over. Mercy does not quietly coexist with judgment—it triumphs over it. What does that picture tell you about where judgment now stands for you?
In the Old Testament, mercy meant judgment delayed. The debt inevitably came back around every year. What would it be like to live knowing your sin was covered only until next year?
Jesus did not delay judgment for the sins you have committed. He vanquished it. All of it. Not just sins past, but sins present, and the ones you have not even committed yet. How does this revelation impact how you receive the forgiveness of God?
5. God Himself tore the veil from the top down, and access to His presence is no longer restricted.
What is the significance of a veil—far too thick for any man to tear—being torn, from the top down?
Jesus said, “It is finished!” and the veil tore in that moment. What was it that was finished?
For centuries, one man went into the presence of God once a year. Then all of a sudden, the way in was open. For everyone. Forever. What does that change about how you value our ability to come to God so freely?
6. On the cross, Jesus was both the sacrifice and the one making the sacrifice. This is why He could say, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
On the altar, the lamb. At the Mercy Seat, the priest. At the cross, one Person did both. How does knowing that Jesus is both the sacrifice and the one offering it impact the richness of your experience and knowledge of Him?
Paul wrote that there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. God is a Spirit, and Jesus was the full expression of that Spirit in human form. God was fully in Him. How does this dual nature of God—as man and God at the same time—inform your view of who Jesus is?
Jesus said no one comes to the Father except through Him. That is an exclusive claim. What gave Him the authority to make this claim?
7. The gospel is not only good news to hear but good news to experience.
The gospel is not just a good story that happened two thousand years ago. It’s an active, living reality to be experienced afresh right here, right now. Is the gospel more than a story to you?
There is a difference between hearing good news and receiving it. Hearing it acknowledges, while receiving experiences. Have you received the gospel?
Many people know the story of Jesus and have never experienced it. What’s the gap between knowledge and experience?
Response
Take a moment to reflect on the following questions, and how you will respond to the truths you have learned.
How will I apply the truths I've learned?
Is there a way that I can use what I have learned to impact someone in my life?
If you are walking through this section with a person or group, take time to share your responses.
