"For
the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is
the power of God." (I
Corinthians 1:18)
The cross is one of the most common symbols of our world today. You can
find it in the fashion industry (earrings, bracelet, necklace), sticker on
cars, tattoo or one of church display signs. But this wasn’t same some
centuries back because the cross was a sign of shameful death .In the ancient
Roman era, people were sentence to death by hanging (i.e. nailing hands and
feet) on the cross because it is believed you suffer slowly before you die- very excruciating (Deut. 21:22-23 speaks of
hanging)
However, the cross is central to the
Christian faith. Without the cross, Christianity would have been meaningless
and Christians would have been pitiful. The cross is crucial to our
understanding of the Christian faith because it reminds us of the great work
that Jesus did at Calvary. Carrying a cross
on the neck or as earring has no power; it is like putting a bible under a
pillow for protection (as some do). But what does the cross really mean?
What is the significance behind the crosses we wear, or see gracing local
church frontages?
Why Jesus hang on the
cross
One might ask why should Jesus die in the
first place. Because man sinned in the beginning which deserved death and the
love of God needed to bring us back to God. Without the shedding of blood,
there is no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22). The virgin birth of Jesus avoided
the curse of the fall that infects all humans born of natural birth. God the
Father sent his one and only Son into the world to take on human flesh and to
be the Savior of His people. God’s justice demanded judgment and punishment for
sin but God’s love moved Him to send His one and only Son to be the mediator
for the forgiveness of sin.
Because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the
cross, those who place their faith and trust in Him alone for salvation are
guaranteed eternal life (John 3:16).
Importance of work on
the cross
Satan hates the cross because it sealed his doom and he is
relentless in his attacks to undermine the work on the cross. Every cult or
false teaching in some way diminishes the work of Christ on the cross and
magnifies human ability. No
wonder a lot are living anyhow after knowing the knowledge of the cross and the
cross has become a mere fashionable/ decorating symbol.
But the real power of the cross lies in the resurrection. It
is through the resurrection that Jesus conquered death. For by his
resurrection, born again Christians no longer have to fear death, for God
himself gives the victory over sin, death and hell. Although the crucifixion of
Jesus happened many years ago, its power is still real today. It stands as the
only hope in a hopeless world:
· The cross reveals the love of God for
sinners- forgiveness. So those
who turn to Christ are delivered from the penalty of sin, power of sin and
healing (1Pet. 2:24-25; Jn.1:9)
·
The
Cross created a new intimacy with God. The veil covering the temple’s holy of
Holies was rent into two exposing it to all to access. Unlike traditionally
when the high priest alone does that once a year to atone for sins with special
clothing, initial bath, animal sacrifice, etc. Therefore Heb. 4:16 says “we should approach the throne of grace in
confidence and Heb. 10:22 says “Christ has become our mediator for all time to approach God.
· The
work on the cross reveals the limitations of human achievement. All saw the
crucifixion but no one saw the resurrection. Religious authority and most
renowned justice system (Rome) ganged up against an innocent man. The
resurrection defeated science in which man has put his hope and pride (col.
2:15). E.g. the 3day resurrection, the sealing of the tomb.
·
The
cross has revealed a quality character of the God- humility (Phil. 2:5-8). At Calvary, God chose to hurt to forgive
sinful man
How should the Christian live to
reciprocate the sacrifice on the cross?
· The Passover is
similar to the work on the cross. Jesus as the Lamb of God, shed His blood on
the cross and this blood saves the sinner from death as from the Angel of
death. After the deliverance at the Passover, God gave the people the 10
commandments to govern His relationship with man/man with his neighbor (Ex.
20). Today, the 10 commandments should still govern the Christian relation
after salvation.
· Sin no more as sin
means you are crucifying Jesus again (Heb.6:4-6). Do not willfully sin for grace to abound
(Rom.6:1-2).
· Spread the forgiveness,
reconciliation, redemption, salvation that came out of the cross (Matt.
28:19-20)
In Matt. 16:24, Jesus
told His followers to take up their cross and follow Him. Typically, we use
“cross-bearing” to denote an inconvenient or bothersome circumstance. However,
we must keep in mind that Jesus is calling His disciples to engage in radical
self-denial. Jesus is calling us to forget about the shame, persecution, deaths,
suffering, etc. that is associated with living for Jesus (e.g. Paul -2corin.
12:10). You feel shy and join the crowd to sin.
Conclusion
Though the cross of Christ seems foolish
to some people and other religions, those who believe in Jesus Christ find that
it reveals the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18), the power to save people from
sin and hell and to transform their lives (e.g. Paul).
The cross stands as the greatest symbol of
the death of Christ in our place and His rise from the dead! So the next time
you see a cross, think of the empty tomb. And remember that Jesus died so that
you can have eternal life. Live the righteous life to show the world the power
of the cross because we will account for our lives (2corin. 5:10).
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