What Did Jesus's Death Accomplish for Those Who Believe in Him?

It is difficult to overstate the importance of Jesus's death.

There is no atonement for sin without His sacrifice. There is no resurrection without His death. Without Jesus's death, there would be no Gift of Eternal Life. And without the Gift of Eternal Life, the Prize of Eternal Life would also be unavailable.

Simply put, Jesus's death made the Gospel possible. The Apostle Paul later summarized the essential truths of the Gospel:

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The first two of these three essential truths concern Jesus's death and burial. The third concerns His resurrection.

Without Jesus's death, there could be no burial or resurrection.

The Son of God became human so that He could fulfill the requirements of God's law on behalf of humanity and redeem the world through offering His life on the cross for our sin.

And as the Son of God, Jesus's death has infinite and eternal value.

Jesus was God who became a mortal human while retaining His divinity (John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-8). He took on human flesh so that He would be able to suffer and die for the sins of the world (Hebrews 2:9, 14-17).

Jesus was perfectly righteous. He had committed no sin (Hebrews 4:15). Yet He willingly suffered the punishment that sinners deserved.

Jesus's death was not an unfortunate interruption of His Messianic mission. It was an essential part of that mission. His death also completed His perfect obedience to the Law and His Father's will (John 19:30, Philippians 2:8). Through His obedience and sacrifice, Jesus redeemed those who were under the Law (Galatians 4:4-5).

What did Jesus accomplish through His death?

In summary, Jesus's death provides the basis for God's forgiveness of humanity's sins, restores sinners into a right relationship with their Creator, and makes possible the eternal life and divine purpose for which humanity was created.

The following are eighteen important ways that Jesus's death accomplished these things.

1. The Ultimate Expression of Divine Love

Jesus's sacrificial death was the greatest demonstration of God's love for humanity.

God did not wait for humanity to become righteous before extending His love. Instead, He sent His Son to die for sinners who had rebelled against Him. Paul wrote that God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

Jesus's willingness to die for His enemies demonstrated the same love He taught His disciples to practice (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28, 35).

Jesus loved His enemies even while they were killing Him. He prayed for those who were crucifying Him: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

Jesus' death was the ultimate expression of God's love for the world.

See also: John 3:16, 10:11, 15:13, 1 John 4:9-10.

Note: Items 2-7 heavily correspond to God's Mercy.
Mercy is often described as not receiving something bad or unpleasant that we deserve:

2. Forgiveness of Sins

Jesus's sacrificial death provides the basis for God's forgiveness of humanity's sins.

Forgiveness means pardoning an offense rather than continuing to hold it against the offender. God is perfectly just. He does not simply ignore wrongdoing or pretend that sin has no consequences. Jesus paid the penalty for sin through His sacrificial death.

During His final Passover meal, Jesus told His disciples that His blood would be poured out for them as the basis of the new covenant (Luke 22:20). After His resurrection, Jesus explained that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations (Luke 24:47).

Jesus's death made that forgiveness possible.

3. Propitiation

Jesus's sacrificial death was the propitiation for humanity's sins.

Propitiation means "satisfaction" or "appeasement." In this context, it refers to Jesus's sacrificial death satisfying God's righteous judgment against sin.

The Apostle John wrote that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

Jesus bore the judgment and divine wrath that humanity deserved. The darkness that covered the land during His crucifixion appears to have signified the terrible judgment Jesus experienced as He bore the sins of the world (Luke 23:44-45). And through His sinless sacrifice, Jesus satisfied the demands of God's justice so that God could extend mercy to sinners without compromising His righteousness (Romans 3:25-26).

4. Breaking the Curse of the Law

Jesus's sacrificial death removed the curse of the Law because He took it upon Himself on the cross.

Paul explained that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).

5. Payment of Sin's Debt

Jesus's sacrificial death paid the penalty of sin—which is death—and gifted eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Paul wrote that "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Sin creates a debt that humanity cannot repay through good works or religious observance. Jesus paid that debt through His death.

Paul also described Jesus's accomplishment by saying that God canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, having nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14).

When Jesus declared, "It is finished!" (John 19:30), He announced that His redemptive work had been accomplished and that humanity's debt was paid in full. Nothing remained to be added to His sacrifice.

6. Abolition of Divine Condemnation

Jesus's sacrificial death provides deliverance from the eternal condemnation that sinners deserve.

God's judgment against sin is righteous. Every person has violated His standard and is therefore subject to condemnation. But Jesus came into the world to save sinners rather than condemn them (John 3:17-18). Paul wrote:

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
(Romans 8:1)

The believer is no longer subject to eternal condemnation because Jesus has already paid the penalty for sin.

These first six accomplishments especially demonstrate God's mercy. Through Jesus's death, God extends mercy to sinners by forgiving their sins, satisfying the demands of justice, and removing their condemnation.

But Jesus's death also makes God's grace available to us. Grace is undeserved favor or kindness. Through grace, God gives believers blessings and privileges that they could never earn.

7. Atonement for Sin

Jesus's sacrificial death provides atonement for humanity's sins.

Atonement refers to making things right between sinful humanity and a holy God. Jesus's sacrifice did more than provide forgiveness for wrongdoing. It removed the barrier that sin had created between humanity and God.

Peter explained that Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). Through His atoning death, Jesus made fellowship with God possible.

Jesus's sacrificial death goes beyond forgiveness and pardoning of our sins. His death is also reconciling and restorative. Atonement entails mercy and grace. The above items (2-6) are included in atonement as well as some of those below (8-9, 11).

8. Imputed Righteousness

Jesus's sacrificial death makes it possible for believers to be counted righteous before God.

Jesus was perfectly sinless, yet He bore humanity's sins upon the cross. Paul explained:

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
(2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus took upon Himself the consequences of humanity's unrighteousness so that those who believe in Him could receive His righteousness.

See also: Romans 5:17-19, Philippians 3:9.

9. Reconciliation with God

Jesus's sacrificial death reconciles sinful humanity (both Jews and Gentiles) to God so that any person might enjoy a meaningful relationship with God (Ephesians 2:11-16).

Reconciliation means restoring a relationship that has been broken by hostility or wrongdoing. Sin separates humanity from God. Through His death, Jesus removed the barrier of sin and made it possible for sinners to enjoy a restored relationship with their Creator. Paul explained that while we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Romans 5:10).

Jesus's death made that salvation available to the nations.

10. Born into God's Family

Jesus's sacrificial death on the cross makes it possible for everyone who believes in Him to be born into God's eternal family.

John explained how a person becomes a child of God:

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name."
(John 1:12)

To receive Jesus is to believe in His name. His name represents who He is—the Christ, the Son of God, who gives eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 20:31). Becoming a child of God does not depend upon a person's ancestry, achievements, or ability to earn God's approval. It depends upon receiving Jesus through faith. John explained that these children are born "not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). God Himself gives them new life.

Jesus explained the necessity of this new birth to Nicodemus:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
(John 3:3)

Nicodemus wondered how someone could enter his mother's womb and be born a second time. Jesus answered:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
(John 3:5)

Jesus was describing a birth accomplished by God's Spirit. Physical birth gives us physical life, but the Spirit gives us spiritual life (John 3:6). We need more than improved behavior or religious knowledge. We need to be made alive in our relationship with God.

Being born into God's family is part of the Gift of Eternal Life. Jesus connected this gift to His coming death when He explained that He must be lifted up, "so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life" (John 3:14-15). His sacrifice makes this new birth possible. Everyone who believes in Him receives eternal life and becomes God's child. This family relationship begins with faith and endures forever because Jesus promises that those who receive His eternal life will never perish (John 10:28).

11. Restoration to Humanity's Divine Purpose

Jesus's sacrificial death restores believers to the purpose for which humanity was created.

God created humanity in His image to live in fellowship with Him and exercise faithful stewardship over His creation (Genesis 1:26-28). Sin corrupted humanity's relationship with God and its ability to fulfill this divine purpose. Through Jesus's death, believers are forgiven, reconciled, and restored to fellowship with God. This restoration provides the foundation for believers to pursue the life God intended them to live.

Paul explained that believers are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10).

Jesus's death gives people the opportunity to fulfill their divine purpose.

This includes the opportunity to receive the inheritance and rewards God promises to those who faithfully follow Jesus.

These first eleven accomplishments of Jesus's death concern the Gift of Eternal Life and the blessings that accompany justification before God.

They are made available to everyone who believes in Jesus.

Jesus explained this truth to Nicodemus by comparing His coming crucifixion to the bronze serpent Moses lifted up in the wilderness (John 3:14-15).

Just as the Israelites who believed God's promise enough to look upon the bronze serpent were healed, everyone who looks to Jesus in faith receives eternal life.

Luke provides a living demonstration of this principle in the penitent criminal.

The criminal believed in Jesus and asked to be remembered in His kingdom (Luke 23:42). Jesus immediately promised that he would be with Him in Paradise (Luke 23:43).

The criminal received the Gift of Eternal Life through faith, not through good works.

But Jesus's death also provides the basis for believers to grow spiritually and become more like Him.

12. Cleansing from Sin

Jesus's sacrificial death provides ongoing cleansing for believers who continue to struggle with sin.

Although believers receive the Gift of Eternal Life through faith, they do not immediately become perfect in their daily conduct. They continue to face temptations and sometimes fail to obey God. John explained that the blood of Jesus cleanses believers from all sin as they walk in the light and enjoy fellowship with God (1 John 1:7). John also explained that when believers confess their sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive and cleanse them (1 John 1:9).

Jesus's sacrifice is therefore not only the basis of the believer's initial justification. It is also the basis for continued fellowship with God throughout the Christian life. It is what allows us as imperfect believers to have fellowship with God.

13. Victory over Sin's Power

Jesus's sacrificial death also broke the power of sin over believers.

Before receiving eternal life, people are enslaved to sin and unable to overcome its power through their own efforts. But through Jesus's death and resurrection, believers are no longer enslaved to sin. They are united with Him and made capable of living righteously.

Paul explained that believers have died to sin and should no longer live as its slaves (Romans 6:6-11). Paul went on to teach that believers have been freed from sin and have become servants of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).

Jesus's death therefore not only provides forgiveness for sin's penalty. It also provides deliverance from sin's power, making it possible for believers to overcome temptation.

14. The Path to Victory over Sin

Jesus's sacrificial death provides the perfect example for believers to follow in overcoming sin and living faithfully.

Throughout His earthly life, Jesus trusted His Father and obeyed His commands. He continued to do so even when obedience required suffering and sacrifice.

Jesus taught His disciples: "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). He then explained that whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Jesus's sake will save it (Luke 9:24).

Jesus demonstrated this teaching through His own death.

He willingly surrendered His physical life because He trusted His Father and sought to accomplish His will. Jesus's final statement, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit," was the ultimate expression of this faith (Luke 23:46).

Believers are called to follow His example by trusting God, obeying His commands, and sacrificially loving others, even when doing so requires suffering.

Peter wrote that Christ suffered for believers, leaving them an example to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21).

Jesus's death therefore provides both the means of salvation and the pattern for faithful discipleship.

15. Adoption into God's Family

Jesus's sacrificial death makes it possible for believers to be adopted as Sons of God.

Everyone who believes in the name of Jesus is born again as a child of God and becomes an eternal member of His family (John 1:12, 3:3-5). Being born into God's family as a child of God is part of the Gift of Eternal Life.

But the idea of adoption in the Bible means to become an heir and assume responsibility in the family business. To be adopted into God's family means to be given responsibility in Christ's kingdom as a son. Adoption as a son into God's family is part of the Prize of Eternal Life.

Everyone who believes in Jesus has God's Spirit within Him crying out "Abba, Father!" but only those children of God who suffer with Jesus become heirs (Romans 8:16-17).

Paul described God's purpose for His children when he wrote:

"He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will"
(Ephesians 1:5).

God determined beforehand that His children should mature into sons who could be entrusted with responsibility in His kingdom. Understood in this sense, adoption concerns receiving authority and an inheritance within the family. As believers learn to obey God and faithfully endure suffering with Jesus, they are being prepared to share in His reign (Romans 8:17, 2 Timothy 2:12). This fulfills God's original purpose for humanity to govern His creation in harmony with Him. Jesus's sacrificial death makes this restoration possible, and God's desire to grant His children this privilege expresses "the kind intention of His will."

Jesus's death on the cross made it possible for people to be born into God's family and for those who do believe and are born again to fulfill their destiny as adopted sons of God in His kingdom. The opportunity to be fully restored is "according to the kind intention of His will" (Ephesians 1:5b).

Through His death, believers receive the Gift of Eternal Life. Through following His example of faith and love, they can pursue the Prize of Eternal Life—the rewards and inheritance God promises to faithful believers.

The final three accomplishments of Jesus's death concern His exaltation, His kingdom, and His authority to judge the world.

Finally, Jesus's sacrificial death on the cross laid the foundation for His reign in the new heaven and the new earth:

16. Christ's Exaltation

Jesus's sacrificial death was the foundation for His exaltation.

Jesus willingly humbled Himself by becoming a human servant and obeying His Father to the point of death upon a cross.

Because of Jesus's perfect obedience, even unto death, God highly exalted Him and bestowed upon Him the name above every name (Isaiah 53:12, Philippians 2:8-11).

Jesus taught His disciples that the path to greatness in God's kingdom was through humble service. He said: "But I am among you as the one who serves" (Luke 22:27).

Although He possessed greater power and authority than any earthly ruler, He willingly surrendered His life for the good of others.

His humiliation upon the cross was followed by His resurrection and exaltation.

The writer of Hebrews explained that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him and afterward sat down at the right hand of God's throne (Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus's death was therefore not the end of His glory. It was the path through which He entered into His glory.

17. The Establishment of Christ's Kingdom

Jesus's sinless life and sacrificial death also established the foundation for His eternal reign.

Before Jesus was born, the angel Gabriel told Mary that God would give Him the throne of His father David and that His kingdom would have no end (Luke 1:32-33).

Jesus's sacrificial death demonstrated His worthiness to reign. The book of Revelation describes Jesus as the Lamb who was slain and is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing (Revelation 5:9-12).

Jesus's sacrificial death was therefore essential to the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

See also: Psalm 118:22 and Mark 12:1-12.

18. Christ's Judgment of the World

Finally, Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection establish His authority to judge the world.

Jesus was unjustly condemned by sinful human authorities.

The Jewish religious leaders falsely accused Him. Pilate declared Him innocent but nevertheless sentenced Him to death. The Roman soldiers mocked and crucified Him.

Throughout His trial and crucifixion, Jesus was treated as though He were guilty.

But God vindicated Jesus through His resurrection. The One whom humanity condemned would become the Judge of humanity. Jesus taught that the Father had given Him authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man (John 5:26-27).

Paul explained that Christ died and lived again so that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living (Romans 14:9).