What is the Meaning of "Jesus Suffered Without the Gate"? Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Good Friday Sermon

What does the phrase "Jesus suffered without the gate" mean in the context of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon?

The phrase "Jesus suffered without the gate" refers to the fulfillment of Old Testament typology, specifically how Jesus' crucifixion outside Jerusalem's city walls perfectly fulfilled the pattern of sin offerings in the Old Testament. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "The bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also... suffered without the gate." This positioning outside the gate represented both the bearing of God's wrath against sin and the shame or reproach associated with being cast out as unclean or criminal.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the significance of the word "wherefore" in Hebrews 13:12?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "wherefore" indicates several important truths: 1. Jesus fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies and types 2. Jesus ended the Old Testament system of sacrifices 3. The Old Testament types had no inherent value but pointed to Christ 4. The cross was not an accident but God's predetermined plan

As he states: "The types and the shadows of the Old Testament are a complete and entire proof, without going any further, that the cross on Calvary's hill was in the mind and the purpose of God from the foundation of the world."

What parallels does Dr. Lloyd-Jones draw between Old Testament sacrifices and Christ's sacrifice?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws these parallels: 1. The high priest transferred sins to an animal; Christ took our sins upon Himself 2. The animal was killed; Christ was crucified 3. The animal's body was burned outside the camp; Christ suffered outside the gate 4. The high priest took the blood into the sanctuary; Christ presented His own blood in heaven 5. The animal's sacrifice provided temporary atonement; Christ's sacrifice provides permanent sanctification

He explains: "What was happening there, he says to Jesus, was the same thing that used to happen on the day of atonement."

According to the sermon, how is Jesus both the sacrifice and the high priest?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that under the Old Testament system, the high priest and the sacrifice were separate - the high priest was a man and the offering was an animal. However, in Christ, these roles are united: "Under the old dispensation, the high priest was a man. The offering, the sin offering was an animal. But here the offering and the priest are one."

Jesus is the sacrifice who "suffered without the gate" bearing our sins, and He is also the high priest who "takes his own blood... into the heavenly sanctuary itself, into the very presence of God, and presents his own blood, and thereby makes an atonement for our sins."

What does it mean that Jesus suffered "to sanctify the people"?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the primary meaning of "sanctify" in this context is "setting apart for God." He explains: "Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctify the people, set them apart from God for God, take them out to the world, deliver them from this present evil world, present them to God, sanctify them, set them apart as a people for God."

This sanctification includes: 1. Being forgiven and reconciled to God 2. Being given access to God's presence 3. Becoming God's special people 4. Being prepared for the world to come

Who are "the people" that Christ died to sanctify according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes it clear that "the people" refers specifically to believers, not everyone in the world. He states: "He didn't die for the sins of the whole world. There are many in the world who are going to hell and to everlasting perdition. But [he died for] the people, the people of God."

He defines these people as: 1. "Those who believe in him, nobody else" 2. Those who "go out unto him without the camp, ready to bear his reproach" 3. Those who are "ready to believe that he is a substitute for sins" 4. Those who "look not to this world and its passing pleasures, but the people who look for the city which is to come"

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish Christianity from other religions in this sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christianity is based on historical facts, not just teachings or philosophy. He states: "What differentiates this christian faith of ours from all so-called religions and teachings is that this is based solidly and essentially upon historical facts and events. This isn't a philosophy. This isn't merely a teaching."

He further warns against making "the cross of Christ of none effect through their philosophy," emphasizing that the historical reality of Christ's sacrificial death is the central fact of Christianity.