Let us focus upon the cross today. At the cross, our salvation was secured and our hope was restored. Jesus’ completed work upon the cross secured the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God for all who will believe.
At the cross, Jesus took our place. John declared that Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) As the Passover lamb served as a substitute for the people of Israel, so, Jesus is our “once and for all Lamb” who died in our place.
At the cross, God’s love for humanity was shown in the greatest possible way. Paul writes, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Jesus’ crucifixion is the greatest example of God’s love toward sinners that has ever been and will ever be.
At the cross, the humanity of Christ is amplified. He hurt, He experienced excruciating pain, and He had terrible thirst (John 19:28). Jesus is fully God and yet fully human. At the cross, His divine love led him to voluntarily suffer bodily and die for us in the worst possible way. He died bodily as the sacrifice for our sin so that we could be reconciled to God.
Remember the cross this week. Let us remember what Christ endured for us. Let me end with the words of this great, old hymn.
Alas and did my Savior, bleed and did my sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head for sinners such as I?
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day.
Tony French
“At the Cross” Isaac Watts and Ralph Hudson
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