"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8)
"The death of Jesus Christ is mentioned more than 120 times in the New Testament, and is spoken of many times by the prophets in the Old Testament.
01) The death of Jesus Christ was vicarious (Matthew 20:28). He was God's substitute for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, Christ was made sin for the sinner. By faith in Him, the sinner is made righteous with the righteousness of God.
02) The death of Jesus Christ was natural (John 19:31-37). By a natural death, we mean that His spirit and soul were separated from His body.
03) The death of Jesus Christ was unnatural (Romans 6:23). By an unnatural death, we man that since He was sinless, in that He "committed no sin" (1 Peter 2:22) - had "no sin" (1 John 3:5) - "knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21) - before He could die, He had to be "made sin on our behalf." Therefore, His death was unnatural.
04) The death of Jesus Christ was preternatural (Revelation 13:8). By this, we mean that the death of Jesus Christ was not an afterthought with God; it was the forethought of God.
05) The death of Jesus Christ was supernatural (John 10:17, 18). Jesus said, "No one has taken it away from Me." Then He said, "I lay it down on My own initiative (supernaturally)." "I have authority to take it up again (supernaturally)." This He did on the cross, and three days and three nights later, He took life up again when He arose from the dead.
Only God in the form of man could die a vicarious, natural, unnatural, preternatural, and supernatural death."
I pray this strengthens your faith in Jesus, your realization of God's love, and your gratitude to Jesus for all He sacrificed for you. Let us thank and praise Him often throughout each day!
(This is From : Bible Foundation Course Lesson 03- 05)
