The Cross Pt 1
We have looked at the seriousness of sin over the last few days and how far we come from meeting God's standard. Even the best among us is still far from the perfect standard of God. So how can we be reconciled with a perfectly good and just God? The answer is in the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus paid the price for our sins - and that ought to evoke a response from us. Paul writes the following in 2 Corinthians:
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV
http://bible.com/59/2co.5.14-15.esv
In order to take the crucifixion seriously, we must live for Christ. Our forgiveness is not meant to make us rest easy in the comforts of the world - it is meant to drive us free from the slavery of the world. I admit that this is much easier said than done. Daily we are surrounded by many influences which seek to bring us back to love of money, material goods, status, sensuality, and many other things. It is hard to fight these things and remember that we need to be setting our eyes and hopes on heaven rather than fulfillment here on earth.
The Crucifixion was not happenstance. Jesus knew he would suffer and die before he was ever arrested - and still he went through with it willingly. Even the Old Testament bears witness to the suffering of Jesus in Isaiah ch 52 and 53.
“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Matthew 16:21 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.16.21.esv
The crucifixion was a horrific event, Luke CH 23 contains an account of what happened. I encourage everyone to read it periodically and remember that Jesus walked into this willingly for our sake. He is suffering because of our sins. Our forgiveness comes at an incredible price - and it also demands that we reciprocate with obedience and that we always strive to walk as if we are dead to sin as well.
“"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand,
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."”
Acts 2:22-34, 36 ESV
http://bible.com/59/act.2.22-34,36.esv
From the first preaching of the gospel after the resurrection of Jesus, Peter highlights that Jesus was raised from the dead and gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit. The implication of Jesus being the Christ was well known to the audience as being the ruler of a new kingdom of righteousness based on the Old Testament. This new kingdom was only possible through a relationship with God, and that is only possible with the forgiveness of sins - which Jesus accomplished by bearing the cost for us. But why did Jesus have to die? The author of Hebrews explains:
“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Hebrews 9:22 ESV
http://bible.com/59/heb.9.22.esv
We must be aware that our inequities separate us from God - the OT ceremonial law highlighted the need for ritual purification through the use of animal blood. But this was only a stand-in to illustrate our uncleanliness until the sacrifice of Jesus could happen. Let us never forget the price paid for us to have a relationship with Jesus - and let us think about how that ought to shape our lives in Christ going forward.
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