Victory on the Cross
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 6:23 (KJV)
We have all sinned, so that means you and I have the death penalty on us.
God says that without the shedding of blood there is no remission ("cancellation of a penalty").
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
- Hebrews 9:22 (KJV)
Under the Old Covenant animal sacrifices were allowed as part of the remission, and specific and detailed laws were created for this (Mosaic Laws, etc).
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
- Leviticus 17:11 (KJV)
One guideline in particular was the "condition" of the animal sacrifice. It had to be without blemish.
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
- Exodus 12:5 (KJV)
The "without blemish" requirement of the sacrifice is exactly the reason why none of us can be a sacrifice for someone else. We need someone who is without sin to take our place.
Jesus was willing to take our place, and shed His precious blood for us.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
- 1 Peter 1:17-19 (KJV)
Jesus, also called "The Lamb", did so "once for all".
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
- Hebrews 9:12 (KJV)
The Old Covenant was replaced by the New Covenant.
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
- Hebrews 10:8-10 (KJV)
Jesus had to become fully human, and be completely without sin for this to work.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
And this was the victory on the cross. No matter what satan threw at Him, Jesus never sinned. Not even on the cross.
That's why it's called the victory on the cross. Satan was defeated, and Jesus became our Saviour.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 6:23 (KJV)
If we have faith in Jesus (in what He did for us), then we too shall rise from death, and have eternal life.
If we don't believe in Jesus, the death penalty remains on us...
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- John 3:36 (KJV)