21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. -Romans 3:21-25
What the heck is the word “propitiation?” It means to “make up for” or to “pay the cost for.” Another word for it would be “justice.”
As this passage tells us, all of us have done something messed up in our lives. All of us have definitely have had messed up thoughts. That’s sin. When we mess up, we’re committing an injustice either against others, against ourselves, or against God. Oftentimes, it’s all three!
That injustice has be made right and that’s what Jesus did on the Cross. He paid for the injustice we commit to each other, to ourselves, and to God on a daily basis. Propitiation—God paid for it.
May this reality give you joy and gratitude. We deserve punishment for our mess, but Jesus took the punishment instead. That’s sacrifice. That’s grace. That’s love.
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