The cross upon which Jesus died is unique in the religions of the world. It is a monument that sets Christianity apart from the rest, as no other religion can boast that their god reached down to man in the ultimate sacrifice of self, bearing the sins and iniquities of humanity — with the due penalty. The cross stands alone as a place of exchange, where the final transaction between man and God took place: when our sin was traded for His righteousness; our place before God as sinners for His as sons and daughters of the living God, and where His life was poured out into us, so that we may live eternally.
The world has seen many crosses over the centuries, but only one was stained with the sinless blood of the Son of God. It is this blood that gave the cross its value, but, as Andrew Murray once wrote, it is also the cross that brings to mind the value of His blood. When Jesus’ blood flowed down that cross, it delivered a message of forgiveness that echoed in the heavens, and will continue to do so throughout eternity. His blood that was shed that day was not the result of a spear that was thrust into His side; no, it was an intentional, loving sacrifice to reconcile man with God.
Much happened the day that Jesus died. The depth of man’s fallen nature was revealed in the inhumane way that they treated a harmless, innocent Man who never did anything but helping the needy. David, looking down the ages, wrote what he saw in the spirit:
Many bulls have surrounded Me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22:12-18
The virtue of Jesus’ life was reduced to that of a common criminal. When Pilate gave His accusers the choice between Jesus or Barabbas to be released, they chose the latter. The one who deserved to die represented us in the drama of the ages—the convict who got to live because Someone else took his place on the cross. We are Barabbas — who escaped condemnation because Jesus died in our place.
What looked like the sad and tragic end of a good life, was, in fact, a day of untold victory. The devil tried to gain the upper hand over Jesus when he tempted Him in the wilderness, and finally overplayed his hand in blind hatred by inspiring the religious leaders of the day to have Him executed. In his attempt to push Him out of the way, he made a mistake that set his own demise in motion:
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7,8
(Jesus) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:14,15
No wonder Jesus referred to His death as glory:
But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. John 12:23
Only when the perfect has come will we be able to fully grasp the treasure that Jesus’ death introduced to us, but for now we rejoice in what we know. Not only did Jesus triumph over the enemy, He disarmed him and conquered death—his most dreaded weapon—by giving us eternal life.
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14,15
Sin brought a curse upon God’s entire creation, resulting in brokenness and misery for one and all, but at the cross it was removed for those who put their trust in Him. Sadly enough, ignorant believers still look for ways to remove family curses that have haunted them for generations. The work that Jesus did on the cross would be incomplete had He not taken care of this yoke of bondage. The curse that followed you for generations to harass you, was cut at the root when you died in Christ, and raised in newness of life in Him. You are a new creation now, with no ties to your old life since you died—old things (including family curses) have passed away, and all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 & 21)
Fallen Adam, separated from God, passed his rebellious nature on to his posterity, and left us without hope. But good news came from the cross: the blood of Christ brought us near again, bridging the gap between our old sinful self and holy God.
Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13
The cross, the emblem of suffering and shame, became to us a token of victory over a life of defeat. You cannot kneel at the cross and leave unchanged. Today that dreaded instrument of death is gladly displayed by believers everywhere as a testimony of the many benefits derived from it. The cross changed our lives from guilt to gratitude, from sinners to saints, from hopelessness to confidence, from poverty to provision, from shame to glory, and from fear to faith. It is the very nature of the cross!
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. 1 Corinthians 1:18
At the last Passover with His disciples, Jesus raised the cup, and spoke of a new covenant with men. A covenant is an irrevocable bond that binds two parties together into one entity. Once you entered into a covenant with someone more powerful and wealthy than yourself, you are set for life, for what he has becomes yours. God bound Himself to us, and sealed that covenant with the blood of the cross.
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
When covenants were made in ancient times, the parties involved erected some kind of monument to serve as a reminder, lest they should forget. It could be a pile of rocks, a well, or something else. The marker of our covenant is the bloodstained cross, that will forever stand as a reminder of God’s grace to undeserving sinners.
At that last Passover Jesus looked ahead to His suffering on the cross, but a day will come when He will look back at it, and celebrate that glorious event that changed the history of the world:
But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:29
That day is approaching fast; already we see the signs that herald His return. His wedding plans are being finalized, and the table prepared. Soon we will sit around that table with Him, and see Him face to face. Do you have your wedding garment ready?
Maranatha!
