The cross is the heart of what we believe. It holds a preeminent position in the New Testament. The Gospels are theological treaties. The message of the Gospels is to identify who Jesus Christ is and His death at calvary and His impact on our life. They head in the same direction: the cross. They all deal with events around the cross.
Matthew 16:21, From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Mark 10:45, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Jesus satisfied God's req for the shedding of blood for sin from someone who did not commit sin.
Luke 2:33-35, The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
John 1:28-29, This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
Jesus Christ, in the mind of God, was already a slain lamb before the creation of the world. God's plan for salvation was preordained. He did not wait until after Adam and Eve's disobedience to devise the plan of salvation.
Acts 2:22-23, "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:17-19, For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
The Apostle Paul was committed to the message of the cross. He said that that was his reason for his preaching and teaching.
Romans 5:6-10, You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
All this centers around the cross and the death of Jesus. The death of His son brought us back into relationship with God.
Hebrews 9:27-28, Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Christ bore the sins of many. This message is throughout the bible. This was the message of Jesus. That's why Jesus came. Jesus knew that he came to die. To pay for out sins, Jesus had to suffer the consequences of sin.
1 Peter 2:24-25, He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Jesus bore our sin. When He died at the cross, He was our substitute. He was seperated from God the Father. This was his penalty fopr our sin.
The cross is a symbol of God's love. The cross is the sign of true liberty. Without the cross, there is no hope. What will you do on your deathbed without the hope of the cross? The cross brings hope, certainty, security. You may be ethical but what about your sinful nature? There is no hope of salvation without the death of Jesus on the cross. That is the testimony and the witness of the word of God.
Why do we make the cross the central focus of our faith? This is how we experience spiritual liberty in our life. It's the heart of of what we believe. It is the liberating power in our life. This is the core of the bible. It's the key to walking in liberty from the power of sin.
Human effort is of no value. Our works are like filthy rags in the eyes of God.
This is God's truth. The basis for our salvation is not what WE did but what HE did on the cross at Calvary. The shedding of Hid blood is what delivered us. We are clensed, redeemed by His blood. We are forgiven through His blood. The cross is the only way to be saved. This is because this is the heart of God. It is His plan.
If forgiveness before God is not through the cross and Jesus' death, then with is it through? What is the basis of what I expect God will let me into heaven. The only other logical explanation is my deeds. God makes it clear that works will not save us. The only way to salvation is through the cross.
The cross permeates scriputure. The cross liberates us.
When we come to the cross and we are saved, the blood of Jesus helps us walk in victory,freedom every day. God will provide everything I need. God will provide every desire of my heart. Every good thing that comes my way comes by the grace of God.
Jesus' death satisfied God's demand for death for sin.
Paul said the world, sin lost its appeal. It's not the driving force. Our personal relationship with Jesus is our driving force. We will begin to blossom because we will becoming what God wanted us to be in the beginning.
The cross is a like a mirror. The cross mirrors our unworthiness. The cross mirrors God's love, mercy, grace, kindness, might, power, etc.
The cross is the means of our salvation.
The cross is like a magnet. When Jesus be lifted up from the earth, He will draw all men unto Him.
The cross is like a model. It is the model of sacrificial love.
Have you ever applied the message of the cross to your life? Have you accepted God's forgiveness given to us through Jesus' death on the cross at Calvary.
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