The Cross

"The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God; Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied." (Matthew 26:63-64)

Jesus knew who he was and he knew why he came to earth. He came to reconcile us to God in this life now and for eternity. His death would pay the penalty for our sins and impute the righteousness needed to commune with the Creator.

"Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled……?" (Matthew 26:36)

Scripture would be fulfilled at Calvery. With a crown of thorns on his head and a staff in his hand, he was "pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5) When the priests and teachers mocked him and yelled "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!" (Mark 15:29-30) He could have, but love kept him on the cross. He could have had twelve legions of angels assist him but he didn't. The cross was why he came. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Genesis to Revelation tells the story of God's love for humanity and his desire for intimacy with his people. "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:1-3)

Jesus' journey to Calvery and subsequent death would reconcile us to God. "that they may know you" Jesus said. Our sin alienated us from God. It brought death. Jesus would bring life. His crucifixion would bring redemption to all who would receive it. His resurrection would bring life to all who placed their faith in the finished work of the cross. Because of the cross, we are now sons and daughters of God. We can know him and the one He sent. God would give us the greatest gift of all - a life of eternity with him and a life here on earth that would bless us and others. A life of giving and receiving love, a life of freedom, hope, peace and joy. (John 10:10) We can have a life of purpose because he has good plans for us. We are part of God's family. He wants a relationship with us. He died for it. He is our loving Father who desires to give us good gifts. He wants us to live an abundant, prosperous life here on earth. He is full of love, wisdom, mercy, forgiveness, revelation. He is the way, the truth and the life! (John 14:6) He died so that we could have life. (Matt. 20:28)

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for the cross. You paid the ultimate sacrifice. Death on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins. In gratitude, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices. Because of God's great love for us, you suffered that we could be free. Because of God's great love for us, you were bruised and beaten, a crown of thorns on your head so that we would never die but have eternal life. Because of God's great love for us, we are delivered from the power of darkness and now live in the light of your grace and love. "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave…You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:9-11) Surely goodness and love will follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen


"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31)

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…" (John 1:12)