It is Good Friday and many around the world will think of the cross
this weekend. Some will do it out of religious obligation, some will do
it out of tradition (something that their family has done for years),
some will remember in thankfulness and love and others will only
discover the wonder of the cross for the first time this weekend.
J.C. Ryle reflecting on the cross wrote, "The longer I dwell on the cross
in my thoughts, the more I am satisfied that there is more to be
learned at the foot of the cross than anywhere else in the world."
The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Cor.2:2 To the Galatians he wrote, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Gal.6:14
The cross is the most important thing in the Christian life. The cross is the most important thing in all of life for every man, woman and child. It is at the cross that eternity is determined. 1 Cor.1:23,24 "But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." What one believes about the cross determines whether one is under the wrath of God or whether one is a child of God!
The cross was not an accident! The cross was not a tragedy! The cross was not an event where evil triumphed! The cross did not come about as a result of God's lack of power, but rather it was a demonstration of His love and power! The cross
was determined before the foundation of the world. (1 Peter 1:20,21)
The prophets foretold of Christ`s coming and His sacrifice. Jesus Himself
continually told His disciples what things must happen. All the O.T.
points toward the need for the cross and all the N.T. celebrates the cross. Even as the Word tells us what must yet take place in the book of Revelation, we see the cross
as central to the events as they are unfolded. When no one anywhere can
be found worthy to open the scroll, it is the Lamb who was slain that is
the only One able to open the scroll. (Rev.5:9,10)
Is the cross
central in your life? Are you still gripped by the awesomeness that God
would pay the price for what you rightfully owe? Are you in awe to see
what such great lengths God used to demonstrate His love for you and
provide the way for salvation? Focus on the cross and what
Christ did for you. It defies all logic that the Judge would also be
the One who would take the righteous wrath of God upon Himself. Our
sins demand that a price be paid! He provided that payment on the
cross.
How is your life different because of this amazing truth? Are your days shaped by it? Do your neighbours know the power of the cross
as evidenced in your life? Are you experiencing freedom from sin? "May
God give you grace, not to lay too much stress on your faith, but to
grasp the great ground of confidence, Christ, and all His work and all
His personal fitness to be a sinner`s refuge." (Dabney) All of our confidence comes not from our faith, but rather on the great work Christ did on the cross! In other words, cling to
Christ`s work on the cross! Look to Him who is our Saviour, Jesus Christ the Lord! Thank you Jesus for the cross! Have a great Easter and proclaim the wonder of the cross to a lost and dying world!