The Cross of Jesus Christ
We are now approximately 2000 years removed from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Today is the day Christians worldwide set aside to remember that blessed event. Does the crucifixion of Jesus matter anymore? Does something that happened so long ago still have any direct relevance to our lives? As Christians, should we stop our daily routine to pause in thoughtful meditation to consider the cross of Jesus Christ. The answer to all these questions is – absolutely yes!
The death and resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the single most important event in the history of the world. It was the essential event necessary for the redemption and salvation of fallen humanity. This rebellious and sin-ruined world strove for thousands of generations to undo the effects of sin and separation from God, but to no avail. The history of this world is one of cyclical struggle, wars, disease, and death. There has been advancement in technology, but no advancement whatsoever in the essential struggles of the soul. We still live in a fallen world of intense uncertain struggle, selfishness, disease, addiction, violence, war, anxiety, depression, and death.
The purpose of God to save people out of this fallen world could only be accomplished by Jesus the Son. In His perfection and innocence, Jesus went to the cross as our sin-bearer. Jesus was our atoning sacrifice. He bore the just penalty of our sins in His own body, that we might receive His righteousness. By His eternal power, Jesus overcame the final enemy – death. On the third day after His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead, never to die again. Only by His life can we receive spiritual life. This life begins now and extends into eternity.
No person can overcome death by their own power. People have been working to reverse the curse of sin and death since the dawn of humanity, but they will never succeed. Only by the resurrected life of Jesus will you be born again unto spiritual life that will have no end. Only by the resurrected life of Jesus, received by faith as a gift, will you pass out of this world and enter into the Kingdom of God.
The cross of Jesus Christ was not about making heaven on earth, but about saving lost sinners out of this dying world. This is exactly what the biblical term “being saved” means. It means that by grace alone, through faith alone, through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, we might escape the wrath of God toward sin. By the cross our debt of sin is paid. By the cross we can have peace with God, forever escaping the death and corruption of this world.
I put before you a few important Bible verses about the cross of Jesus Christ. Consider these verses today. Consider the love of Jesus Christ toward you and rejoice in the price that has been paid that you might live forever!
“And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8
Jesus was fully obedient to the will of God in all things. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus struggled deeply with the reality of submitting Himself to the hands of sinful men. But in agony Jesus prayed, “Not my will but yours be done!” In humility, Jesus submitted Himself, as the Lamb of God, to be crucified by sinful men. God did not kill Jesus but permitted that it be done by Satan and those under His influence. The crucifixion of Jesus was the greatest evil act of all time, but from it God brought the greatest good ever achieved. The enemies of Jesus were confident they had defeated Him, but the purposes of God shall not be thwarted!
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14
Our sin against God is not a matter of simple emotional offense. Our sin against God is rebellion against His law. Our wickedness transgresses His holiness and requires that we be removed from His presence. It is real guilt that breaks our relationship with God. It is real guilt that must be punished in judgment. We can only be declared ‘not guilty’ (justified) when the penalty of our rebellion has been paid. Jesus settled this debt and paid the price in His own body on the cross.
The apostle Paul: “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:17-18
Paul here speaks to the real power of the cross. Paul’s gospel preaching was not rooted or based upon cleaver public speaking. The gospel is not an idea; it’s a reality! Jesus really lived as the incarnate Son of God upon the earth. Jesus really preached and ministered, full of grace and truth. The cross was real. The suffering and bleeding death of Jesus was real. Jesus really did suffer for our sins. But, then and now, most people do not believe that Jesus was who He said He was – the Son of God. The ministry of Jesus is mocked by most people, but to those of us who believe it is the power of God unto salvation!
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1b-2
Jesus endured the suffering of the cross knowing it was not the end, but a means to an end. The end of the cross is the salvation of God’s people! Jesus endured the cross for the joy of heavenly glory. Jesus Christ is glorified in the salvation of sinners. He is glorified in His mercy, grace, humility, holiness, and power!
May we enter into the joy of the salvation of Jesus! May the Lord quiet our doubting souls and give us the faith to believe this resurrection Sunday,
Pastor Vic