The Message of the Cross
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Have you noticed how one think can mean two completely different things?
For example: A big sale at Woolworths means excitement for Kim as she finds bargains - but misery for me as I have to sit around for hours while she shops.
A public holiday means rest for some but chaos for others who have to work in retail.
The cross is no different. It means 2 completely different things.
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
To some the cross is a fairy tale, a made up story showing the foolishness of those who believe in it.
But to others the cross the most powerful display of God’s love for us.
What is the Message, The Word of the cross? When you look upon its image, there is no writing on it, yes it speaks - it has a message - it has a word from God to all of humanity.
1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,
2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.
The Word of the Cross speaks to humanities guilt.
The Word of the Cross speaks to humanities guilt.
The cross shows us the full picture of mans sinful debt.
Both our moral bankruptcy and our utter helplessness to do anything about it are seen by the cross.
3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
I heard from another pastor of a man who was a drunk. For years his wife begged him to stop but he refused. One evening he took his wife and 2 children out and proceeded to get drunk. Driving home he wrecked his car and his wife and both children passed away. Tragic.
On the funeral, as he stood alone surrounded by the 3 coffins of his family he said: “I never realised how awful my sin was until now as i see its consequences.”.
Thats what the cross does.
When we see Jesus being brutally tourted, only then do we know how truly awful the sin that caused His pain actually is.
The Word of the Cross speaks to humanities helplessness.
The Word of the Cross speaks to humanities helplessness.
Before going to the cross Jesus prayed to the Father and asked a question:
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Allow me to dissect this prayer: Jesus asked if it is possible for humanity to be saved by any other means - that is “Is it possible for them to save themselves?”
The Fathers response says it all: The Fathers silence answers Jesus question: No, there is no possible way for sinful people to save themselves”.
The cross is the constant reminder to every single one of us that we are utterly helpless to save ourselves and that our salvation is all of God.
The Word of the Cross speaks to God’s Justice.
The Word of the Cross speaks to God’s Justice.
Since God is just He cannot act unjustly.
What it justice? Justice is each person getting what they deserve.
Ok, so as a sinner what do i deserve?
4 Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The cross is the constant reminder to each of us that that cannot be mocked, cheated or deceived.
The Word of the Cross is a declaration of God’s great Love.
The Word of the Cross is a declaration of God’s great Love.
A few weeks ago in our study of the atonement we ask the question “Was the crucifixion necessary?”.
And we saw that the answer was YES.
But thats not technically true.
Jesus did not have to die, God could have destroyed sin without the suffering of the Son.
How?
Simple: God could have destroyed sin by simply destroying all sinners.
But He didn't.
Instead of destroying sinners IN their sin, He rather chose to save sinners FROM their sin.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The cross shows that the truth of 1 Timothy 2
4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The cross shows the truth of 2 Peter 3
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
The Cross shows the truth of Isiah 30
18 Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.
The cross shows the truth of Ezekial 33
11 Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then should you die, house of Israel?’
The cross shows the truth of Psalm 86.
15 But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, Slow to anger and abundant in mercy and truth.
The Word of the cross is the appeal of God to every sinner to repent and trust in him.
This is what the preaching of the cross is all about as Paul said:
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
The cross shows the meaning of communion.
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same way He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28 But a person must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For the one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not properly recognize the body.