God’s plan for redeeming man has been referred to as a scarlet thread that runs throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the primary thrust of scripture is God’s effort to deal with the sin of man.
It is prophesied in Genesis 3:15 when Satan, in the guise of the serpent, was told by God, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
It is promised in Genesis 12 to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” That promise was repeated to Isaac, Israel, and David, as God established the Jewish people in preparation for the Savior’s advent.
It’s fulfillment began with His birth. “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).
Every step of Jesus’ life led inevitably to His death on the cross. Jesus knew that His most difficult task must be faced. He warned His disciples. “You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28). He submitted to His father’s will. “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). The Romans sentenced Him to die. For hours on that rugged cross, Jesus suffered, until He, “…cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit” (Matthew 27:50). God attested to the efficacy of that sacrifice of the One who was His only begotten. “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses … 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:32,36). It is because of that sacrifice and His resurrection that we have hope. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:20-24).
This was God’s plan from before the world began, (cf. Ephesians 1:3-6). This is why Paul wrote to the Colossians, “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He mad to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him” (Ephesians 1:7-10).
This is the wondrous gospel that has the power to save mankind (cf. Romans 1:16).
