Now, let’s turn to the role of the Son in the great work of redemption. While the Father is the one who initiated the plan, the Son is the one who carried it out. Everything the Father purposed, the Son accomplished through his obedience, sacrifice, and triumph.
The Son Takes On Human Nature
The first thing the Son did in this work was to take on human nature. Though he is fully God, equal with the Father in power and glory, he humbled himself to become like us. Why? Because only by becoming human could he serve as our representative and substitute.
This act is described in Philippians 2:6-8, where we’re told that Jesus, though he was in the form of God, “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
By taking on flesh, the Son made it possible to fulfill all the requirements of the law on our behalf and to suffer the punishment for our sins.
The Son’s Obedience
The life of Jesus was marked by perfect obedience to the will of the Father. From the moment he was born to his final breath on the cross, he lived a sinless life, fully aligned with God’s law and purpose.
This obedience wasn’t just for his own sake. He obeyed so that his righteousness could be credited to us. By perfectly fulfilling the law, he achieved what we could never do on our own. Romans 5:19 explains, “By the obedience of one, many will be made righteous.”
The Son’s Sacrifice
At the heart of the Son’s work is his sacrifice on the cross. This is where the penalty for sin was fully paid. Jesus willingly offered himself as a substitute for sinners, taking on the punishment we deserved.
This wasn’t a random or accidental event. It was the culmination of the Father’s plan, and the Son willingly gave himself to accomplish it. As Jesus said in John 10:18: “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”
On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. Isaiah 53:5 tells us, “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed.”
This sacrifice was effective and complete. Through it, Jesus secured forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation for all who believe.
The Son’s Resurrection and Victory
But the story doesn’t end with the cross. After three days in the grave, Jesus rose from the dead, triumphing over sin, death, and the devil. His resurrection is proof that his sacrifice was accepted by the Father and that he has the power to give life to those who trust in him.
As Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Son’s Ongoing Work
Even now, the Son continues his work on our behalf. He ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes for us. This means he acts as our advocate, presenting his finished work as the basis for our acceptance before God.
Hebrews 7:25 assures us, “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
What the Son’s Work Means for Us
The Son’s role in redemption has profound implications for our lives:
It Gives Us Confidence in Salvation:
Because Jesus has fully paid for our sins and risen in victory, we can have absolute assurance that we are forgiven and secure in God’s love.
It Calls Us to Faith:
Since Jesus has done everything necessary for our salvation, our response should be one of trust. We must rely on him alone for our forgiveness and righteousness.
It Inspires Worship and Gratitude:
When we consider the lengths the Son went to redeem us, our hearts should overflow with worship and thanksgiving.
This is the work of the Son in redemption: taking on our nature, living in perfect obedience, dying as our substitute, rising in victory, and interceding for us. Through him, the Father’s plan is accomplished, and salvation is offered to all who believe.
A Modern English translation of Book 1, Chapter 4 of John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
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