Propitiation

Propitiation in the biblical sense is averting the wrath of God by the offering of a
gift. However, in the worldly sense it is averting the wrath of man by the offering
of a gift. Many have either done this or experienced this. Take, for instance, the
child who has inadvertently broken mom’s favorite mug. That child may offer a
hug or a favorite toy to avert mom’s anger. You see it when a person offers flowers
or candy to a person they have hurt or wronged. Although, we may not go around
using the word propitiate, the act of attempting to regain favor or goodwill is ages
old.

Since Adam ate the forbidden fruit, sin has been a part of the world. With sin there
needs to be repentance. Before Christ, there had to be blood sacrifices to cover our
sins. Then the Lord bestowed mercy upon the world and gave us His only begotten
Son (John 3:16) who knew no sin but became sin for us (1Cor 5:21) so our lives
could be saved.

Understand that God the Father appeased Himself by sacrificing His son Jesus
Christ. He averted His own anger. When Christ obediently went to the cross, He
became our propitiation; He became the ultimate blood offering, our sacrificial
lamb.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You knew there was nothing man could bring You
to avert Your wrath caused by sin. You knew the world would need an unblemished
lamb that could finally atone for all sin, past, present, and future. That lamb was
Christ. Thank you, Lord, for so loving us that you gave Your only Son to die for the
world’s sin. Forgive us, Lord, for often taking that gift for granted. Forgive us,
Lord, for grieving You by our actions. Thank You, Lord, for the ability to confess
our sins and be forgiven. Thank You, Lord, for Jesus Christ who died on the cross
and rose so that we may live. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.
By Sis. Pat Towns