The Nature of Atonement AT-ONE-MENT word invented by

The Nature of Atonement AT-ONE-MENT– word ‘invented’ by William Tyndale, 16 th C ATONEMENT Healing. Oneness For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Jn 3: 16 -17 2 / 18

The Nature of Atonement “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. ” Jn 17: 20 -21 Becoming one with the Father = Perfect Atonement What about the “Day of Atonement? ” wasn’t that all about sacrifice? The central feature of the Day of Atonement was it was the one day man was in close proximity (at one) with God => Atonement only completed when Immortal (as God) 3 / 18

Road to Atonement We walk the same road Jesus did – his command Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going? ” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later. ” Jn 13: 35 -36 4 / 18

1 The Mark of Blood

Preparation for Last Supper “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? ’ He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there. ” Lk 22: 10 -12 To eat the Passover with Jesus requires faith and preparation 6 / 18

Preparation for the Wedding Supper Do I have to go to church to find God? For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints. ) Rev 19: 7 -8 So if I refuse to be part of the “Bride, ” can I really expect to be part of the “Wedding Day”? 7 / 18

Events at the Last Supper Silent Testimony “Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention? “ “To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time. ” “The dog did nothing in the night time. ” “That was the curious incident, ” remarked Sherlock Holmes. A. Conan-Doyle, ‘Silver Blaze, ’ 1894 8 / 18

What’s Missing from John’s Last Supper? 9 / 18

The Mark of Blood: Beyond the Meal It was just before the Passover Feast. Jn 13: 1 How did an Israelite reach salvation from the Angel of Death? Take a lamb… without blemish… kill it on the 14 th day… take the blood from the meal and make marks of blood on the house where you eat it… eat the meal in haste… do not leave the house all night… when God sees the mark of blood He will Pass Over and you will be saved Ex 12: 3 -23, pp And supper being ended… Jn 13: 2 John’s account focuses on what happens after supper, on the Mark of Blood made on the house that God saw Reconsider communion: God is looking for the Marks of Blood that sharing the meal together provoke us to make 10 / 18

The New Commandment “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. ” Jn 13: 34 -35 Disciple of Jesus is not principally evidenced by doctrine… 11 / 18 …but by the Mark of Blood (from beyond the meal) in acts of loving service

The Mark of Blood: Washing the Feet [Jesus] rose from supper and laid aside His garments… and began to wash the disciples’ feet… He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ” Jn 13: 4 -5, 12 Christ-like rulership ≠ Worldly rulership But why disrobe? 12 / 18

Divestiture of Rank Clothing denotes Rank – across all cultures and eras Naked = Object of Offense / Embarrassment / Ridicule “[Jesus] rose from supper and laid aside his garments” Jn 13: 4 Divesture of anything the world recognises as ‘status’ 13 / 18

Time to forego Zealous Vengeance Isaiah’s Warrior He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isa 59: 15 -17 Lamb of God “…if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. ” Lk 22: 36 [Jesus] rose from supper and laid aside his garments Jn 13: 4 14 / 18

Precursor & Explanation of Crucifixion The Last Supper The Following Day Reflected the previous evening – Jesus had divested himself of the garments – it was his choice (he was not overpowered by the Romans) & Why? ‘To wash the ones he loved and make them clean’ 15 / 18

“With desire I have desired” “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. ” Lk 22: 15 -16 Desire is a principal element of discipleship How does Passover ‘find fulfillment’ in the Kingdom of God? Sacrifice is fulfilled at Calvary Salvation is fulfilled in the Kingdom => Passover is about salvation not sacrifice 16 / 18

Leaving the House As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. Jn 13: 30 Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. Ex 12: 22 And it was night. Jn 13: 30 17 / 18

I need to prepare; desire the Kingdom I need to interact with God’s children Divesture of my garments required The Lord desires this meal with me My salvation is from beyond the meal