What was the real meaning of the crucifixion according to this lesson?
The crucifixion was not merely Israel rejecting her King and putting Him to death, but the fulfilling of God's eternal purposes, so that through it the whole human race would have access to God's plan of salvation. It is the gospel: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again.
Les teaches that Paul was the first to whom God revealed that the work of the cross was not just Israel rejecting her King and putting Him to death, but the fulfilling of the eternal purposes of God. By that crucifixion the whole human race would have access to God's plan of salvation, and it was culminated in His resurrection as He came forth in power. Paul delivered first of all what he also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures. Les emphasizes that this is the gospel—Christ died for my sins, was literally dead three days and three nights in the tomb, and arose from the dead. You cannot shortcut it; you either reject it or accept it and believe it, and that is where faith comes in.