|
|
Day 79 - Why did Jesus redeem us on the Cross?
Why did Jesus have to redeem us on the Cross, of all places? The Cross on which Jesus, although innocent, was cruelly executed is the place of utmost degradation and abandonment. Christ, our Redeemer, chose the Cross so as to bear the guilt of the world and to suffer the pain of the world. So he brought the world back home to God by his perfect love. God could not show his love more forcibly than by allowing himself in the person of the Son to be nailed to the Cross for us. Crucifixion was the most shameful and most horrible method of execution in antiquity. It was forbidden to crucify Roman citizens, whatever crimes they were guilty of. Thereby God entered into the most abysmal sufferings of mankind. Since then, no one can say "God does not know what I'm suffering." (YOUCAT question 101) Dig Deeper: CCC section (612) and other references here. |
Part 1: The Profession of Faith (26 - 1065)
Section 2: The Profession of the Christian Faith (185 - 1065)
Chapter 2: I Believe in Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God (422 - 682)
Article 4: "Jesus Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried" (571 - 630)
Paragraph 2: Jesus Died Crucified (595 - 623)
III. CHRIST OFFERED HIMSELF TO HIS FATHER FOR OUR SINS ⇡
Christ's death is the unique and definitive sacrifice ⇡
Christ's death is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the definitive redemption of men, through "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world",439 and the sacrifice of the New Covenant, which restores man to communion with God by reconciling him to God through the "blood of the covenant, which was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins".440
439.
Jn 1:29; cf. 8:34-36; 1 Cor 5:7; 1 Pet 1:19.
440.
Mt 26:28; cf. Ex 24:8; Lev 16:15-16; 1 Cor 11:25.
This sacrifice of Christ is unique; it completes and surpasses all other sacrifices.441 First, it is a gift from God the Father himself, for the Father handed his Son over to sinners in order to reconcile us with himself. At the same time it is the offering of the Son of God made man, who in freedom and love offered his life to his Father through the Holy Spirit in reparation for our disobedience.442
441.
Cf. Heb 10:10.
442.
Cf. Jn 10:17-18; 15:13; Heb 9:14; 1 Jn 4:10.
Jesus substitutes his obedience for our disobedience ⇡
"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous."443 By his obedience unto death, Jesus accomplished the substitution of the suffering Servant, who "makes himself an offering for sin", when "he bore the sin of many", and who "shall make many to be accounted righteous", for "he shall bear their iniquities".444 Jesus atoned for our faults and made satisfaction for our sins to the Father.445
443.
444.
445.
Cf. Council of Trent (1547): DS 1529.
Jesus consummates his sacrifice on the cross ⇡
It is love "to the end"446 that confers on Christ's sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. He knew and loved us all when he offered his life.447 Now "the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died."448 No man, not even the holiest, was ever able to take on himself the sins of all men and offer himself as a sacrifice for all. The existence in Christ of the divine person of the Son, who at once surpasses and embraces all human persons, and constitutes himself as the Head of all mankind, makes possible his redemptive sacrifice for all.
446.
447.
Cf. Gal 2:20; Eph 5:2,25.
448.
The Council of Trent emphasizes the unique character of Christ's sacrifice as "the source of eternal salvation"449 and teaches that "his most holy Passion on the wood of the cross merited justification for us."450 And the Church venerates his cross as she sings: "Hail, O Cross, our only hope."451
449.
450.
Council of Trent: DS 1529.
451.
LH, Lent, Holy Week, Evening Prayer, Hymn Vexilla regis.