Can the Death of One Man Matter for Everyone? Really?
When people hear about Jesus’ death upon the cross, many think to themselves something like this:
“It does not make any sense that the death of one man in history could stand for every man and woman who has ever lived. How is this either possible or plausible?”
“It does not make sense that the death of one man could have a ‘saving effect’ on every man and woman who ever lived. How is this either possible or plausible?”
These are reasonable questions. Are there clues and pointers from ordinary life that suggest the plausibility of a “human-wide” impact from Jesus dying on the cross? Is it possible that such a story—of a brutal death by crucifixion—is actually a beautiful story, made more beautiful by being true historically, aesthetically, and emotionally? Let’s consider three illustrations.
One Person Can Represent Many
Think of funerals in country churches. As a pastor of small churches in rural communities years ago, I witnessed how, when someone connected to the church died, there would be a lunch provided by the ladies of the church in the fellowship hall. Men would carry things, set up tables, and in winter, clear entrances of snow. There was always abundant food—country hospitality at its finest!
As people were leaving, they would thank me for the lunch, even though I had done none of the cooking, setup, hosting, or cleaning. Everyone understood I was representing the church and all those who had done the work. The workers were pleased, not upset, by this arrangement.
We intuitively understand that one person, the right person, can represent a large number of people. When Christians talk about Jesus dying on the cross “in our place,” we understand that He is dying as our representative. This makes conceptual sense, even if it raises further questions.
The Right Substitute Makes All the Difference
Imagine a major sporting event at Wembley Stadium with 90,000 spectators. Tragedy strikes when terrorists take over the stadium, seal every exit, and place what they claim is a small nuclear device in the center of the field, threatening to detonate it if anyone attempts escape.
If an ordinary person called the terrorist leader offering to sit on the bomb in exchange for everyone’s release, they would be ridiculed and dismissed. But what if the beloved Queen Elizabeth herself had called, offering herself as a hostage in exchange for everyone’s freedom? The terrorists would likely accept immediately, recognizing her singular value as a hostage—one person effectively representing an entire nation.
When Christians talk about Jesus dying as our substitute, we understand this in the context that Jesus is God, the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It makes theological sense that He could be a substitute for all humanity.
What Happens to One Affects Many
Consider common themes in stories and films. In “The Lord of the Rings,” when Sauron’s ring is destroyed, Sauron and all his works cease to exist. This trope appears across literature and film—when something happens to the source, everything connected to that source is affected.
This leads us to the profound beauty of Good Friday. It is the true and greater fulfillment of all stories involving substitution, representation, and the principle that “what happens to one changes for good the many.” The beauty deepens through its historical reality—it actually happened. The beauty further deepens through its coherence with the ancient promises and patterns found in the Scriptures.
The Image-Bearer Dies for the Image-Bearers
All human beings are made in the image of God. In our rejection of God, that image is marred and bent, but never erased. What could be more reasonable and beautiful than the One in whose image all people are made choosing to die upon a cross for the good of all who already bear His image?
On the cross, Christ bore the judgment that you and I deserve, and bestows upon those who trust in Him the destiny that He deserved. It was not the nails that kept such a One on the cross. It was love.
On Good Friday, Christians remember that when we call out to Jesus as Savior and Lord, this profound exchange takes place:
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)
The death of one man can indeed matter for everyone—when that man is the God-man, Jesus Christ, whose representation, substitution, and connection to humanity make His sacrifice both possible and plausible. This is the beautiful truth we celebrate on Good Friday.
George Sinclair is the Rector of Church of the Messiah in the heart of urban Ottawa. He was the Chair of Essentials Canada and founding Chair of his denomination, the Anglican Diocese of Canada (formerly ANiC). He currently serves as the Chair of the ADoC task force to make it more deeply biblical at every level and oversees church planting in the Diocese. He is the Principal of Ryle Seminary and is blessed to have been married to Louise since 1981. They have 9 children and lots of sons and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. George is an original Council Member of The Gospel Coalition Canada.
