Three Big Words – Three Big Thoughts

Propitiation, Atonement and Reconciliation

are three big words - not only in size,  but in importance.  Each expresses a precious truth about what Christ did and provided for us when He died on the cross for our sin.  We want to look at each word and the truth it contains so we may fully love, honor and worship our Great Savior!

Atonement – Covering our sin through sacrifice

Atonement is a payment made to remove a separation so two people can be reconciled, or reunited.  Sin had separated, or estranged, us from God.  Christ’s giving His blood (life) covered, or paid for, our sins (atoned for).  This perfect priestly offering removed us from under God’s wrath by appeasing His righteous demands (propitiation).  It also restore us to fellowship with God (reconciled us), the very ones who were once alienated from and even hostile to God and His will for our lives.  Atonement is the blood price paid to appease God’s wrath and provide ground to restore the relationship.  Study that idea in these verses:

·         Hebrew 5:1-3

·         Hebrews 9:6-14, 22

Propitiation – Pacifying God’s righteous wrath by payment

This is the least familiar word.  To propitiate is to “win the good will of, to appease.” Jesus was the “atoning sacrifice” for our sins (NIV).  Our sin not only separated us from God, it placed us under His wrath.  Not only did our offenses need to be made right, but His righteous wrath also needed to be appeased. For propitiation (satisfaction) to occur, the offending party must do or offer something to win back the good will of the one offended.  Jesus propitiated the Father for us by offering Himself as the propitiation.  He took God’s wrath for us.  Read and record what these verses say about this concept:

·         God’s wrath & our need for propitiation: Luke 18:13;  John 3:36;   Romans 1:18; 5:9

·         Christ’s propitiation: Romans 3:25-26;  Hebrews 2:17; 9:5:   1 John 2:2; 4:10

Reconciliation – Restoring the relationship between enemies

People at odds with one another need to be reconciled.  They must be brought back together into fellowship, have their relationship restored.  God did not need to be reconciled to us, because He had done nothing wrong.  However, because of our sin and resulting estrangement from Him, we needed to be reconciled to God.  Jesus has provided that for us as God’s means of reconciliation.   How do you see our need for reconciliation and Christ’s provision in these verses? 

·         Romans 5:6-11

·         2 Corinthians 5:18-21

·         Colossians 1:19-22