As I write this post, we are a couple of weeks away from the time we celebrate Easter in many places around the world. For local churches, this is one of those very busy times of the year, as they prepare to exalt the risen Savior through special services and activities. I know that as a preacher, I love proclaiming the story of the crucifixion of Christ and His victorious bodily resurrection.
I believe that one of our most important missions during this time of the year is to help people understand the meaning of the cross. Yes, most people know that the gist of Easter, or Resurrection Day or whatever name they use, is that Christians celebrate the death and bodily resurrection of someone by the name of Jesus Christ. But when I refer to the meaning of the cross, I am referring to the practical meaning of the cross. Consider the following:
1. The cross means that God loves us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” Jesus said (John 3:16). How many of us would give our only son for the lives of others who were worthy of death? That’s exactly what God did for us because He loves us.
2. The cross means we can’t save ourselves. There are many self-righteous people in the world today. They are quick to boast about all the great things they do. That they strive to live a life of integrity and honor is commendable, but it’s not enough to earn their salvation. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight,” the Bible declares (Romans 3:20). Faith in Jesus' redemptive work on the cross and His bodily resurrection is the only way.
3. The cross means God has power over death. Before Jesus submitted Himself to death on the cross, He told His disciples how He would be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, crucified, “and the third day he shall rise again” (Matthew 20:19). He totally trusted the Father with His life. Jesus knew that after He commended His Spirit to His Father that God had the power to raise Jesus again from the dead and He did!
This is the good news of the Easter message. This is the meaning of the cross that we must tell the world: God loves us, He can save the "hopelessly lost," and for those who accept His risen and resurrected Son, He will raise from the dead to ever be with the Lord. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!!
Copyright © 2012 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
I believe that one of our most important missions during this time of the year is to help people understand the meaning of the cross. Yes, most people know that the gist of Easter, or Resurrection Day or whatever name they use, is that Christians celebrate the death and bodily resurrection of someone by the name of Jesus Christ. But when I refer to the meaning of the cross, I am referring to the practical meaning of the cross. Consider the following:
1. The cross means that God loves us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” Jesus said (John 3:16). How many of us would give our only son for the lives of others who were worthy of death? That’s exactly what God did for us because He loves us.
2. The cross means we can’t save ourselves. There are many self-righteous people in the world today. They are quick to boast about all the great things they do. That they strive to live a life of integrity and honor is commendable, but it’s not enough to earn their salvation. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight,” the Bible declares (Romans 3:20). Faith in Jesus' redemptive work on the cross and His bodily resurrection is the only way.
3. The cross means God has power over death. Before Jesus submitted Himself to death on the cross, He told His disciples how He would be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, crucified, “and the third day he shall rise again” (Matthew 20:19). He totally trusted the Father with His life. Jesus knew that after He commended His Spirit to His Father that God had the power to raise Jesus again from the dead and He did!
This is the good news of the Easter message. This is the meaning of the cross that we must tell the world: God loves us, He can save the "hopelessly lost," and for those who accept His risen and resurrected Son, He will raise from the dead to ever be with the Lord. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!!
Copyright © 2012 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
4 comments:
Thanks Pastor Frank for this post. Yes we cannot save oursleves, we all need the cross. God bless. Bisi
Amen. Thank God for His obedience to the cross, without which we are all hopelessly lost.
Thanks a lot for this profound religious review) I've never expected to find so many new details about the meaning of the cross...Thanks for my new knowledge so much.
Thanks for reading and thanks for your comment. I am glad you were blessed by reading the post.
Blessings to you
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