Propitiation, Is more than a definition. It is an idea, concept, ideology, or theology. I find it hard to put into words what it means. I knew a man who was a language translator by profession. He once told me translating words from one language to another was a simple process, But translating ideas and concepts was extremely difficult. We have all heard it must have lost something in translation! Sometimes, He told me, there are no words in the new language to translate the idea or concept from the original language. I believe propitiation is the very embodiment of JESUS CHRIST and the GOSPEL. Propitiation is only found in the Bible in four places ( Romans 3:25, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10 ).   But GOD uses the entire Bible to explain the Idea, Concept, Ideology, and theology of Propitiation. You will not find the word Propitiation in the newer Bible translation, you will find it in the original Hebrew and Greek translations and the older translation. ( King James, New King James, etc.)

 Propitiation what does it mean? According to Webster’s dictionary; to cause to become favorably inclined; win or regain the goodwill of; appease or conciliate/sacrifices made to propitiate the gods. So much for that explanation! I have an old Bible dictionary that takes a page and a half trying to explain propitiation. The newer translations of the bible substitute, propitiation, with the words “sacrifice of atonement” In Romans chapter 3:25 the thought seems to be that CHRIST was GOD’S way of restoring the broken fellowship between HIMSELF and man. In Old Testament times on the Day of Atonement the priest (who stands between us and GOD) would take a blood sacrifice into the Holy of Holies and present it before the mercy seat where GOD sat, to atone the sins of the people and himself. Animal sacrifices never removed sins, they only covered them from GOD’S sight. In the Old Testament time’s before the birth of JESUS, a priest would stand between us and GOD. We did not have access to GOD we now have. The definition of a priest explains this, “priest- A person whose function is to make sacrificial offerings and perform other religious rites as an intermediary between GOD and worshippers. The priest nor the animal was a propitiation for our sins. The priest was acting only as an intermediary between us and GOD. The animal that was sacrificed, its blood could not wash away our sins but only cover them from GOD’S sight. The Old Testament ritual could never satisfy or pay our sin debt, only JESUS CHRIST the perfect LAMB of GOD.

  New Testament teaching is distinctive in that “Propitiation” is provided by GOD HIMSELF. We are not to think of an angry GOD with whom CHRIST is pleading to be merciful; we are to think rather of GOD pleading with sinful men and women to make their peace with HIM, and of Christ as the form taken by the appeal. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 says; GOD reconciled us to HIMSELF through CHRIST….. We beseech you on behalf of CHRIST, be ye reconciled to GOD. GOD’S righteousness, which makes a sin a barrier to fellowship with HIM, and GOD’S love, which would destroy the barrier, are revealed and satisfied in one and the same means, the gift of JESUS CHRIST to be the mediator between GOD and men and women.

  So, how do we put this into words we can use and understand and not a bunch of theological words that takes a lot of time and study to understand? Well, to me it means JESUS left heaven in obedience to GOD the FATHER to come to earth, to teach us and to be the sacrificial lamb for our sins, in other words, HE came to take the bullet for our sins. No one else could do this, no one was qualified, only JESUS, who was perfect, no imperfection, and perfect in every way, but the most important thing HE was without sin!!

  When Jesus was crucified on the cross, at the moment of HIS death, the Veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the world was torn by itself from top to bottom. This signifies JESUS’S body being torn and destroyed. Giving us free access to GOD. NO longer do we need a priest, pastor, teacher, or anyone to come into GOD’S presents, no one stands any closer to GOD that you! JESUS died and shed HIS blood for our sins past, present, and future. JESUS arose from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of GOD to be our propitiation and mediator between us and GOD! We no longer need an earthly priest who is with sins, WE have a perfect High Priest in heaven, our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS THE CHRIST!

  So, when I said JESUS took the bullet for our sins, I think of a firing squad. I am standing there waiting for the fatal bullet to be fired by GOD for my sins! At this point, JESUS steps in between me and GOD and takes the bullet for my sins. HIS body is perched and HIS blood pours forth, washing away my sins, thus reconciling me to GOD, and establishing my relationship to HIM. This is what propitiation means to me!

  One last thought, why would JESUS take the bullet for me, my sins are so great there is no chance for me. WRONG!! What separates Christianity from all other religions is one thing and one thing only, LOVE!! JESUS loves you so much HE died for you! He came to make a pathway and show us the way to heaven, which is through HIM and HIM only! ( John 14:6 JESUS said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.) Always remember, JESUS loves you so much, HE was willing to die and be our propitiation for us, rather than spend all eternity in heaven without us!! I close with these words from, 1 Corinthians 13:13 and now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love!

  In the last part of the verse of Romans 3:25;” in His forbearance, GOD had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” Old Testament saints did not know about Calvary, GOD knew about it, and HE put all the value of JESUS CHRIST’S work in the future to their account when they believed in GOD. Old Test believers were saved on credit. They were saved on the basis of a price to be paid at a later date. This explains this part of verse 25 “in HIS forbearance GOD had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” The Old Testament times were a time of forbearance by GOD. For over 4000 years GOD held back HIS judgment on the sin of men and women. In the fullness of time, HE sent HIS SON to be the Sin-bearer. When the LORD JESUS took our sins upon HIMSELF, GOD unleashed the full fury of HIS righteous, holy wrath on the SON who HE loved!

  But on the other side of the coin, JESUS died for all the sins of the people on earth alive at the time of HIS crucifixion. Also, of importance to us today, JESUS died for our sins in the future! It has been 2000 years since JESUS crucifixion. Think about the number of people who have been born since HIS crucifixion and the sins that have been committed. JESUS took all these sins past, present, and future upon HIMSELF to the cross as if HE had committed them. OUR sin that HE took was so great, that GOD the FATHER turned his back on JESUS, the sight was so repulsive and disgusting GOD could not stand to look upon HIS SON. And JESUS cried out “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME “   What a bullet JESUS took for us!

  To take full advantage of JESUS propitiations for your sins, all you have to do is pray to JESUS, tell him you are a sinner and ask for forgiveness, and believe in HIM who took the bullet for you. He will wash away your sins, never to be remembered. And HE will accept you into the family of GOD and prepare a place for you in heaven. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD.