Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
The word propitiation in Romans 3:25 is the Greek word hilasterion. The word here carries the idea of appeasement. The Gentiles would often offer sacrifices to their gods in the attempt to appease the anger of the gods toward themselves. Paul would use this word to show us what God was doing in the body and soul of Jesus Christ. In looking at this idea, we can ask the questions how and when were sins punished and how and when was God satisfied? Those questions deal with the very nature of the propitiation that was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Christ was the full satisfaction of justice. His sacrifice was not just a covering of sin but was a full and satisfactory payment for our transgressions. The law and justice of God was satisfied in this sacrifice. God could ask no more or less than for that sacrifice that was the propitiation. There was not another, Christ was the propitiation. He would be that sacrifice that satisfied God regarding our sin.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He was set forth in due time to be this propitiation. This propitiation did not exist until Christ shed His blood. There had to be blood shed for sin. God is just, He cannot let sin go unpunished. He would punish our sins in the body and soul of Jesus Christ and be satisfied.
Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Look back to Exodus 12:13 above. You read the words when I see the blood. When did God see the blood? He saw the blood when He was satisfied. He was satisfied when He saw the travail of His soul. Christ is no longer in travail. Christ was set forth to be the propitiation which satisfied God’s holy and righteous judgement. No longer does God see our sin, no longer does He have anger toward us. We are reconciled. Contrast that to Hebrews 10 where we see the sacrifices pointing to the propitiation of Christ gave no pleasure to God. Those sacrifices could not make us just before God. That is our problem, how can we be just before God?
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
This propititiation served 3 primary roles in God’s plan to save a people. It first and foremost was the purpose for which Christ was set forth. Christ was set forth to be that sacrifice that satisfied the justice and wrath of God. Secondly it established the faith which we will develop more as we look deeper into Romans 3:25. Lastly this propititiation declared His righteousness. The heart of the gospel, the root of all that we have in Christ is His sacrifice, His propitiation. Without that propitiation, without that sacrifice we cannot claim any of the spiritual benefits we find in Christ. Without this act of God, there could be no righteousness for us to have accounted to our spiritual accounts.
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 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; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
How could Paul offer us the invitation of grace and peace one verse before these words Ephesians 1? It is because that propitiation, that sacrifice that satisfied a holy God has come and now, Romans 3:21, the righteousness of God prevails, and we are made accepted in the beloved.