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Lent 2025, Good Friday, Romans 3:21-26

 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [f]and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Jesus died for many reasons, but this is one not so much understood or studied.  Righteousness is apart from the law and through faith in Jesus. The law still matters for scaffolding purposes, but what or whom we are supposed to learn is Jesus. We are now considered and are righteousness at no cost, through grace, because of what happened on the day we call Good Friday. 

Propitiation is a difficult concept because of its root in Greek mythology (hilesterion), and we do not or did not appease God through some sacrifice or action. God appeased God. He was the mercy seat in the temple. He demonstrated his love, his righteousness, his forbearance, that he would be both righteous and righteousmaker (justifier) of those who have faith in Jesus. 

The perfect passage for Good Friday. 

It's Friday, but Sunday's coming. 

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