When the lights came on for the disciples after the resurrection, they realize that in the cross Jesus was substituting himself for us, changing places with us, taking the guilt of our sin to himself, accepting divine judgment that is justly and rightly against us. In the cross God does two things, which would be otherwise impossible.
First, he pardons those who believe in Christ. Although they have sinned and deserve only condemnation, he pardons sinners. How can a just God pardon sinners? Only because all our sin was transferred to Christ. This lays the ax at the roots of every religious person's endeavors to make himself more acceptable to God by trying harder, attending more, praying more intensely - as if by some mechanism, we might be able to tip the scales in our favor. God pardons sinners even though they have sinned and sinned and deserve only condemnation. And if he didn't, we would be forever excluded from his presence.
Second he displays and satisfies his perfect, holy justice by executing the punishment our sins deserve. Without this God would not be true to himself. Here's the gospel in a phrase. Because Christ died for us, those who trust in him may know that their guilt has been pardoned once and for all.
What will we have to say before the bar of God's judgment? Only one thing. Christ died in my place. That's the gospel.
by Alistar Begg in Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross, pg 24-25
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