The Cross

With the release of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ", the whole world is taking a second look at the crucifixion scene. It is said a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Billy Graham said that one film is worth a lifetime of sermons. There is no doubt that the world is now getting its first graphic, heart wrenching, understanding of the price Jesus paid to free people from their sins. Only perfect, agape love, (unconditional) could enable Jesus to bear such brutal torture for us. We need to remember that He did it for His enemies, as well as for His friends. His last words were, "Father, forgive them!" The cross was probably the cruelest execution ever devised. God purposely allowed it because it was peculiarly suited to fit the crimes that Jesus was dying for. More on that later. But God wants us to fully understand the enormity of sin. The world jokes about sin, but God hates it with such a passion that He was willing to give His beloved son, first, to show us the horrendous consequences of sin, and second, to stamp it out. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked three times if there was another way, but God let him know unless He took our sins and our death penalty, we would be destroyed. When Jesus considered this, He began to sweat blood. This was just a glimpse of the agony He was going through. Most people think the cup Jesus was to drink was His fear of death. This could not be. It had to be His revulsion, His horror of actually becoming the sin that He hated, as well as having His Father forsake Him. Just think of Jesus becoming the worst monster like Hitler, Stalin, or Saddam Hussein. This is what caused His blood vessels to rupture. See 2 Cor. 5:21. In recent days, whole herds of cattle and thousands of chickens had to be destroyed for having a disease. Everybody understands this. Without immediate action, thousands, maybe millions of people would be at risk. This is the situation with sin. It is a deadly disease. It has spread all over the world and there is no cure. The penalty of death must be carried out. This is a spiritual law as irrevocable and unchanging as the law of gravity. Jesus knew He was the only one who could save mankind. His perfect life qualified Him to take our place and pay our penalty. He then could be raised to life again, since Satan had no claim on Him. We should thank God every day, that Jesus was able to say, "Not my will but thine be done." As mentioned earlier, the cross is peculiarly suited to express the wrath of God upon each part of the body that was involved in sin and rebellion. It is a huge object lesson to the world that, sadly, is too little understood. You must keep in mind as you read on, that the punishment inflicted on Jesus was designed for sinners (you and me). It is a very graphic and terrible picture of the consequences of rebelling against God Notice that the feet are singled out for punishment. There was much concern in Bible days about having clean feet. Think of the King of the Universe stooping so low as to wash the disciples' feet. The feet were supposed to do good. Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful are the feet of him that brings good tidings." But then, Proverbs 1:16 says, "Their feet run to do evil." Romans 3:15 says, "Their feet are swift to shed blood." Isaiah 53:6 says, "We all have turned to walk in our own way." It was a fit punishment for feet to be nailed. The hands are such an indispensable part of the body, having the ability to do much good, not just for ourselves, but for others. They are used also in showing friendship and in the worship of God. Jesus touched people and they were healed. But, Micah 7:3 says, "They do evil with both hands earnestly." In John 19:3, they smote Jesus with their hands. Revelation 9:20 says, "They repented not of the work of their hands." It was fitting that the hands should be nailed. > Notice the case against the mind, once the most wonderful part of the body. But, the part that distinguishes us from animals became the part that made us worse than animals. It totally rejects God. "God is not in all their thoughts." (Ps. 10:4). "It is the enemy of God." (Rom. 8:7). In many verses, it is described as corrupt, blinded, reprobate and totally depraved. Every imagination of the thoughts of men is only evil, continually. (Gen. 6:5). What an indictment! Of course, our eyes and ears we have closed, lest we see and hear and understand God's call to us: It is well deserved that the head should be pierced with many thorns. The face is the visible expression of the heart. It is supposed to show the glory of God as did Moses coming down from the mountain. But, instead we read, "They have made their faces harder than a rock." (Jer. 5:3) They hid their faces from Him (Jesus). They spit in His face (Jesus). (Mt. 26:67). It is a well deserved punishment that the soldiers should spit in the face. (Is. 50:6). The beard is supposed to be a sign of maturity, but man, long ago, forfeited any claim to maturity. Jesus focused on it when he said, "You're just like children. John came neither eating or drinking and you said he was a devil. I came eating and drinking and you say I'm a drunkard." It was well deserved that the beard should be plucked out. (Is. 50:6). The back is a symbol of strength. A man is praised for having a backbone. In the beginning God made man upright. The upright are His delight. (Prov. 11:20) But man chose to turn away. (Eccles. 7:29) Micah 7:2 tells us, "There is not one upright among men." Psalm 44:25 says, "Our soul is bowed down to the dust." Isaiah 2:9 and 46:2 say, "They stoop, they bow down to idols." It was a righteous thing that the back should be scourged with many stripes. The heart keeps us alive physically and spiritually. Out of the heart are the issues of life: our emotions, conscience, affections and desires. "Guard your heart - set your affections on things above," says the Bible. But man rejected this advice and let the heart run wild and become vain, darkened, vile, proud, sensuous, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. It was fitting that a spear should be thrust through the heart. Isaiah 53 is called the Calvary of The Old Testament. Here we read of Jesus being wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, chastised for our peace and beaten for our healing. Is. 52:14 tells us that Jesus was marred (beaten) more than any man People who saw Him were appalled. But God looked upon the suffering of His Son and was satisfied. (Isaiah 53:11). How could God be satisfied? Because God's people, whom He loved, were saved from destruction. To use the vernacular, Jesus got us off the hook. He took what we deserved - paid our debt in full. Everyone who desires to be in God's family is now welcomed simply by receiving Jesus as Savior. "When you make His soul an offering for sin, He will see His children." (Isaiah 53:10) The human race was saved (all who respond to His offer). Friend, I responded to His offer. I'll be the first to admit that my feet went astray; they ran to do evil. My hands became fists more than once; they took things belonging to somebody else. My face leered at the goody-goodies. My heart ran wild for too many years. I let the "evil birds" build a nest in my mind. Even now, as a Christian, my backbone is more like a wet noodle. But, because of the cross, all that is behind me. I say with Paul, "I am crucified with Christ." (Gal. 2:20) The parts of my body that served Satan died on the cross. They have been resurrected to serve God. (Rom. 6:19) Now, here is the crucial point. If you accept God's offer but continue in sin, you're wasting your time. You're either a new creation or you're still in sin. (2 Cor. 5:17) If you still feel the pull of the world, you need to realize that the carnal mind is death. Only the mind controlled by the Spirit leads to eternal life. (Rom. 8:6) Consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things. (2 Tim 2:7). * Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow.