I realize that our terribly sinful human default is to expect others to “die” for us and our cause in one way or another. (For instance, everyday I subconsciously default to thinking that my wife should be nice to me, instead of how I should be nice to her!) Only God did not demand that we die for him, and He instead died for us! Thank God for penal substitution and justification.

You and Dr. Ben are right–this theory is all over the Bible! The Passover, the scapegoat, of course JESUS!

Do you think Moses was trying to offer himself as penal substitution in Ex. 32? They had made a golden calf. Moses then called the Levites, and those who were with God killed three thousand people. Afterward, Moses went before the LORD and asked for God’s forgiveness.

He said, “32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”

33 The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.”

God refused his offer. God instead would blot himself out. He who had no sin would become sin for us. He left his throne and place of glory to be among people who did not recognize him, and who worshiped and served created things that would perish. He did this so that we could be with him, and worship the True God for all eternity. Jesus is the better Moses, the better lamb, the better scapegoat. I’m so thankful for Jesus. He stood in my place, shedding his own blood for my sin.

Perhaps, a word that is more familiar to most Christians is “justification,” (j) since Paul uses the verb “justified” countless times, especially in Romans and Galatians. Though the definition of “ps” and “j” is different, the former enables or results in the latter.

Nonetheless, until recently, I had not emphasized nor taught “j” nor “ps” in my Bible studies and sermons, because teaching them seemed to me to be “impractical,” and seemingly without any “practical application.” It was a lot “easier” for me to teach imperatives, such as “love God,” “love your neighbor,” “deny yourself,” “take up your cross,” “make disciples,” “feed sheep,” etc.

But it’s noteworthy that Martin Luther says that “j” is “the doctrine by which the church stands or falls.” Surely, I will need to begin to digest and apply these central biblical teachings of “j” and “ps” more intentionally from now on. Thanks again for this post.