June 28

The explanation of the Gospel, of the Old and New Testaments is given in a nutshell in Romans 8:3,4 where it says, “What the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.”

From the earliest pages of the Old Testament, the plan of salvation is set forth. We are told in Genesis 3:15 that there would be enmity between the seed of the serpent (the devil) and the seed of the woman (Jesus) and that the devil would “crush Jesus’ heel” but Jesus would “crush satan’s head.”

On the cross, it appeared that the wicked one had delivered a mortal blow to the Son of God and to the plan of salvation. The hope of glory hung ignominiously upon the cruel Roman instrument of torture and death. But at the empty tomb, when Jesus had arisen from the dead, satan’s utter defeat—the death of his rebellion against God—was shown!

When Jesus crushed the head of satan by bearing the punishment for our sins, by carrying our sins to the cross—and then rising victoriously over death, hell and the grave—He gave those who believe in Him the power to see His righteous law fulfilled in us! When we choose Christ, He sends His Spirit, who empowers us to walk in Him.