The Meaning of the Cross

The Cross: What Happened There? 1 Peter 2:21-25 March 10, 2018 The Big Idea: God’s Son came to us to show us what it means to live in perfect union with our Creator – He is our Example. He bore our sin and guilt on the Cross, providing salvation to all who believe. In Christ, we have our Savior and our Shepherd. 1 Peter 2:21-25 (ESV) 2 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 23 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 24 By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 25 1. Christ Was Established As Our Example • Call to be faithful to the life of Jesus. • Call to stay close behind Him, submitting our life and activities to where Jesus takes us. • Call to share in His suffering. When we suffer unjustly, we share in a tiny portion of what happened to him. o The world hated Jesus. It will hate us when they see Jesus in us. à Like Jesus, we are to refuse to retaliate. Luke 23:35 à Like Jesus, we are not to threaten those who abuse us. Matthew 27:37 à Like Jesus, we are to trust ourselves fully to the Father who will do the ultimate sorting out of who did what to whom. 2. Christ Became Our Sin-Bearer “Christ also suffered for you … § There was a high purpose for Christ’s suffering that went far beyond being an example for us. [Leviticus 16:20-22] [v.22] § So, Christ bore our sin (v.24) – He carries them away so that we can be forgiven. § But forgiveness is not all God wants for us. Jesus died that we might (v. 24) “die to sin” § There was a high purpose for Christ’s suffering that went far beyond being an example for us. [Leviticus 16:20-22] [v22] 3. Christ Offered Himself As Our Shepherd and Overseer • We stray – we wander like sheep. Get confused and fearful. • Shepherd: our greatest problem is our heart which led us to ignore the Voice and direction of the Shepherd. [Deuteronomy 4:9] • We ALL stray – the small town or suburban affluent man is just as much a wandering sheep as is the addict or murderer. • The Shepherd died for His sheep and brought them back to Himself. Psalm 23 LESSONS FROM THE CROSS à The cross is not a “success” message about new possibilities, reminding you of your great potential if only you try a little harder. The Gospel tells us that in the Cross, God creates new persons who are reconciled (made right) with their Creator. The Holy Spirit empowers the Christian to live righteously and to become unresponsive to Sin (“die to sin” – v. 24). à God’s commitment to do this is signed with the blood of Jesus. The Father’s New Covenant is sealed with the blood of the faultless Lamb of God, the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for our Sin. à Greater effort is never the answer to our reconciliation with God. Jesus took our sin upon himself, suffered as He took our punishment, died on the Cross and was resurrected. He completed all that was necessary for salvation. Only faith in Jesus and His completed work brings the gift of reconciliation with God into our lives, submitting our lives to His Lordship.