What Does "Must the Son of Man Be Lifted Up" Mean According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

What is the significance of the word "must" in John 3:14-15 according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the word "must" in "Even so must the Son of man be lifted up" signifies absolute necessity and divine compulsion. He explains that Christ's death wasn't optional or accidental, but rather an absolute requirement in God's plan of salvation. This "must" indicates that without Christ being lifted up on the cross, there would be no forgiveness of sins and no salvation for humanity. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this necessity stems from God's holy nature, which cannot simply overlook sin but requires perfect justice.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reject the view that Christ's death was merely an accident?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones rejects the view that Christ's death was an accident because Scripture clearly shows it was predetermined by God. He provides several biblical evidences including: 1) Peter's statement in Acts 2 about Christ being "delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God," 2) Revelation's reference to "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," 3) Peter's statement that Christ was "foreordained before the foundation of the world," 4) Old Testament prophecies and types that pointed to Christ's sacrificial death, and 5) Christ's own words that He came into the world for "this hour." Lloyd-Jones insists that men who crucified Jesus were merely instruments in God's predetermined plan.

What alternative theory about Christ's death does Lloyd-Jones refute and why?

Lloyd-Jones refutes the theory that Christ's death simply demonstrates God's willingness to forgive even the worst sin (killing His Son). This view suggests that God was already forgiving before the cross, and Christ's death merely demonstrates how far His forgiveness extends. Lloyd-Jones rejects this because it doesn't explain the "must" in the text. If God was already forgiving and Christ's death was merely demonstrative, there would be no necessity (must) involved. The fact that Christ said it "must" happen indicates that forgiveness was impossible without it.

According to Lloyd-Jones, why was Christ's death necessary for salvation?

According to Lloyd-Jones, Christ's death was necessary because of God's holy nature. He explains that:

1. God is absolutely just, righteous and holy
2. God hates sin with "all the intensity of his eternal nature"
3. Sin must be punished according to God's law ("the wages of sin is death")
4. God cannot compromise His justice even in showing mercy
5. Christ, as the sinless Son of God in human flesh, could provide "perfect satisfaction" to God's law
6. On the cross, Christ bore the punishment for sin in our place
7. Without this substitution, forgiveness would be impossible

As Lloyd-Jones puts it: "If he hadn't done that, there would be no hope for any men."

What significance does Dr. Lloyd-Jones see in Christ's agony in Gethsemane?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones sees Christ's agony in Gethsemane as evidence of the necessity of the cross. He points out that Jesus was not merely afraid of physical death (which would make Him less courageous than many martyrs). Rather, Christ was agonizing over bearing the full wrath of God against sin. When Jesus prayed "if it be possible, let this cup pass," He was asking if there was any other way to save humanity without experiencing separation from the Father and bearing divine wrath. The answer was no - there was no other way. Lloyd-Jones says this proves the absolute necessity of the cross, as God would never have allowed His beloved Son to experience such agony if any alternative existed.