“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” – Matthew 26:28
LIGHT FOR NOW: Words in scriptures don’t have acollective application.
The above statement made by Jesus in our text implies the remission of sins will be because Jesus shed his blood. Outside the shedding of Jesus’ blood, there would have been no remission of sins. Jesus had not yet died when he made this statement. He was eventually crucified in Matthew 27:45-50. Now, the question that comes to the fore is, was Jesus statement in our opening text accomplished on the cross? Was the remission of sins fulfilled on the cross when Jesus said, ‘it is finished’? To understand the phrase, ‘it is finished’, one must contextually read John 19:23-30. The phrase, ‘it is finished’ is from the Greek word ‘teleo’ which implies to accomplish or bring to fulfillment. It was the same word that was used in verse 28 however translated as ‘accomplished’. The term ‘all things’ in verse 28 was in reference to the prophecies of the scriptures concerning his death. In verse 36, the writer again quoted from Psalms 34:20 as one of the prophecies that were fulfilled. In verse 37, what the writer recorded was prophesied by David in Psalm 22:16 and Zachariah in Zachariah 12:10; this prophecy was fulfilled still on the cross. Observe that other synoptic writers wrote about Jesus’ death. In Matthew 27:46: And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani? Which is being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The same account of Matthew 27:46 is recorded in Mark 15:34.
This explains why Jesus upon his resurrection said that all things must be fulfilled which was written in the laws of Moses, the Psalms and the prophets concerning him (Luke 24:25-26). Thus, the prophets prophesied concerning his sufferings and his resurrection from the death, entering into his glory. The statement ‘it is finished’ made by Jesus on the cross in John 19:30 was in reference to the fulfillment of scriptures concerning his death alone, and not his words in Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins”. This statement he made about his blood was futuristic. It will be fulfilled upon his resurrection from the dead. Thus, remission of sins was available upon his resurrection. This means that remission of sin was not when Jesus said ‘it is finished’; remission of sins was only accomplished when he rose from the dead. And by our identification with his resurrection, our sins are remitted eternally. Hallelujah!
INSTRUCTION: Focus on the Gospel which is Christ.
PRAYER: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Sin cannot stand between me and God because it has been paid. I stand in the liberty wherewith Christ had redeemed me and I am not entangled with any yoke of bondage, in Jesus Name. Amen.
QUOTE: His resurrection becomes your resurrection by your identification with Christ.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: LUKE CHAPTER 24; EVENING: JOHN CHAPTER 19
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 