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Question for Everyone
Sum up in one word, what does the cross mean to you?
It could mean hope, grace, love, salvation, forgiveness etc.
These things are all true, they are our experiences
The Roman Cross
was devised by the government of Rome to be the most excruciating form of human execution.
it was literally devised that as you hung on the cross your death would be slow, it would take your breath away.
While the person hung on the cross they would have to push themselves against the wood using only the force of the nails that were in their wrists and ankles.
using your strength to hold yourself up by the nails was the only way you could breath.
Every time the person would lose their strength they would lose their breath.
Eventually not being able to breath.
the cross is one of the most horrific torture devices that humans have ever come up with.
The Cross Has Been Transformed
Yet, historically believer or not the cross has been transformed.
Jesus took this torture device and transformed it into an icon of mercy.
when you see the cross you see forgiveness, redemption, hope and salvation.
if I asked you to sum up in one word the gas chamber, or the electric chair, no one would call them beautiful or see forgiveness.
The reason we don’t see the cross for what it is, is because of what Christ did on it, and through it.
This Good Friday morning I want to take a look at a section of the easter story in the Gospel of Luke.
Darkness Falls and So Does the Curtain
Darkness across the land
It was noon, there was no reason for it to be dark out.
Some have explained this as a solar eclipse, but that is not possible during the time of the passover full moon, and the fact that an eclipse would not last for three hours.
This was a supernatural darkening as an expression of God’s displeasure and a sign of fulfilment.
2. The Curtain is Torn in Two.
a.
The place behind the curtain was where the arc of the covenant was kept.
It was considered to be the place where God dwelled, where His presence was.
b.
The only time anyone went back there was during the day of atonement, the priest would go behind the curtain to bring an atonement offering for the people.
c. God’s presence was now open for everyone.
The atoning sacrifice was now complete.
Christ took upon himself all of our sins, becoming the perfect sacrifice to fulfill the requirements of the law for good.
d.
Our sins can now be forgiven, because of Christ’s death on the cross we can be in the presence of God.
No more ceremonies.
Humanity can now be offered forgiveness, grace and peace with God.
Jesus took upon himself what we deserved.
e.
This moment is the most significant moment in the Gospel.
It is the Good news, the news that the work of salvation has been accomplished for us by Jesus Christ.
This moment is the beginning of the New Covenant, a Covenant that changes lives, that offers forgiveness unconditionally.
A Covenant that offers each of us God’s presence in our lives.
In this story we see people’s first reaction to this new reality.
Life Transformed
The Roman Officer
The text tells us that the man who was overseeing the execution saw what happened.
Luke doesn’t tell us what that is, but one can only think that after experiencing everything this man would have seen that he was touched by the hand of God.
He would have witnessed how Jesus willingly went to the cross, the strength he had while on the cross, the discussion he had with the criminals hanging beside him.
His reaction wasn’t to run, or be happy that his shift was over because the death had happened.
Instead the text tells us that he worshiped God.
His heart was transformed by Christs work on the cross!
Closing
No doubt many others in the crowd had the same transformation, yet I am sure some just walked away in deep sorrow.
But the transforming power of the cross was now a reality.
This is the power of the cross, it takes a symbol of death and suffering and turns it into freedom, forgiveness and peace.
The death of Jesus Christ changed the world, and the cross represents that change.
It brings a broken and suffering world hope, and peace.
The cross changes everything!
Has the cross changed you?
Do you believe that Jesus gave his life for you on the cross?
The man in charge of the execution believed and worshiped God.
This is the power of the cross.
He became right with God.
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