Here is the situation. Jesus died almost 2000 years ago. We did not exist at that time. We had not committed any sins because we were not of His generation. So, just whom did Jesus die for? Was His atoning death only for those who lived during His day? How can it be that His death was for all the generations of this entire age?
Jesus said a number of things that made it clear that His atoning death was for all generations. We all know John 3:16, for instance. It says, “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (NASB). Whoever does not only refer to those living during Jesus’ day. But whoever means whoever—including you and me. The word is all-inclusive.
Jesus also said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19, NASB). “…And, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (verse 20).
We refer to these words of Jesus as the Great Commission. The premise of this mandate was not that people in future generations were left on their own for their salvation. But it was that Jesus’ atoning death would be sufficient for all generations until the end of this age.
Jesus’ Atoning Death Is the Antithesis of Adam’s Disobedience
In Paul’s letter to the Romans he writes, “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12, KJV). Of course, this verse refers to Adam. He screwed it up for all of us. We were not there when he and his wife sinned against God. But because of their disobedience, sin entered the world. And death entered by sin.
In the beginning, it was not God’s plan for us to die. But we die because we are suffering the consequences of what the first couple did.
The good news is that things work in a similar way with Jesus’ atoning death on the cross: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (verse 19)!
The penalty of Adam’s sin was felt throughout all generations. Similarly, the benefits of Jesus’ obedience applies to all generations.
So, whom did Jesus die for? Not only for those who lived during His day. But also, those of us who look back to His redemptive work on the cross. And little did they know, those in the Old Testament era who believed in the blood of animals and sacrificial animals were looking ahead to Jesus’ atoning death.
We should not find it hard to believe that Jesus’ atoning death could suffice for all generations. That’s because God is omniscient. He knows the end from the beginning. From the very foundation of the world, He foreknew all who would become believers throughout the ages! And it is He who has declared that everyone who places his faith in His Son shall have eternal life.
I am so glad that Jesus died for all. That means no one is hopelessly lost. Provisions have been made at Calvary. For everyone who does not know Christ as his or her Savior, there is room at the cross for you.
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.