Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:25
When was the last time you used the word ‘propitiation’ in a sentence in normal conversation? The only time I hear it used is in an Assembly meeting, when somebody reads our text, or one of the other two places in the Bible where it occurs. Does that mean it is not a very important word? No, this is a critical word, or at least its meaning is. We find its parallel in the Old Testament, where it refers to the Mercy Seat, that special place on the top of the Ark of the Covenant, where the blood of the sacrifice of atonement was sprinkled, and where God the sins of the Israelites covered. It refers to not only the Mercy Seat but also to the sacrifice that provided the blood to be sprinkled on it. Let us look at some of the truths concerning propitiation.
First, the source: it is God Who initiates propitiation by providing us with the very sacrifice – the offering of His Son – to satisfy the needs of propitiation. That is important, because we are unable to afford a sacrifice of our own because of our sins.
Second, the sins: reconciliation always has to do with dealing with the great problem of our sins. Our sins have not only alienated us from God but also have placed us under the sentence of the wrath of God. That wrath is very real: ‘The wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience’ – Colossians 3:6. That wrath is all inclusive: ‘For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men’ – Romans 1:18. Propitiation satisfies God’s wrath because that wrath has been borne by Another.
Third, the Substitute: Jesus is the propitiation! He Himself is the sacrifice Who willingly gave Himself. His blood is the means by which our sins may be forgiven. He is the divine who took on flesh, was qualified through suffering, and He tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:10). The possibility for our salvation is based on the reality that His sacrifice is sufficient to avert the wrath of God.
Fourth, the Salvation: It was God Who provided the mercy seat in the Old Testament, but it was the Israelites who had to use it. If they failed to apply the blood of the sacrifice, no atonement was possible. In our dispensation, God has provided the sacrifice but it is only by faith that we benefit from the atonement that He offers. ‘By grace are ye saved through faith’ – Ephesians 2:8. Our text says our salvation is through faith in His blood.
Our text declares that God hath set forth Christ Jesus to be a propitiation for us. What a Saviour our God has provided! -Jim MacIntosh