What does it mean?
The cross in a church building is usually in a central place. The cross of Jesus Christ has a central place in our faith. Why so?
For society the cross is merely a symbol, like a lucky charm and perhaps wards off evil. This is superstition which is offensive to the Lord. So let us turn to God`s word to find the true meaning of the cross.
The need for the cross
Genesis 2:16-17; Do not eat from the tree
Genesis 3; Sin, loss of immortality or spiritual death. Appropriate it was that Jesus crucified on a tree taking away the sin problem back to the tree. Recovering immortality for those who believed.
Shadows of Cross in Old Testament
Numbers 21:8-9; People murmured, fiery serpents and Moses interceded. Brazen serpent on a pole represented the sin on a tree. They were healed when they beheld sin on the tree.
John 3:14-15
2 Kings 18:4; Hezekiah destroyed idols
The Cross must not become an idol. Do not offer prayers or worship to a statue.
The Cross as an Altar
In Leviticus, we see the various offering of sin, guilt, and burnt where the bull, goat, or lamb. Blood was put on horns of alter and rest of blood poured out at the base. Jesus Christ bled on horns of the cross and his blood poured out at the base.
The Shame of the Cross
Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Anyone hung on a tree was God-cursed, and openly disgraced.
Galatians 3:13; Jesus became a curse for us
Colossians 2:13-15; Jesus nailed our sin charges to the cross and paid in full for our sins.
Colossians 1:20; Restoration through the blood of cross.
Ephesians 2:15-16; Reconciliation between the Jews and Gentiles through the cross.
Jesus' attitude to the Cross
Hebrews 12:2; Joy set before Him
Philippians 2:8; Humbled himself to death
So what does the Cross mean?
1 Corinthians 18:23; Christ was crucified for Jews (stumbling block) and Gentiles (foolishness)
To the believers the cross is the Power of God involving mighty dunamis power.
The miraculous power of God cancelling out our debts
Effects of preaching the Cross
Acts 2:36-37; Hearers were pierced in the heart, leading to repentance.
Acts 5:29-33; When Peter and the disciples told them the truth about Jesus Christ the listening crowd wanted to kill them.
The preaching of the Cross separates those who will believe or will not believe.
But we preach Christ crucified and our only boast is in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Kneel at the foot of Jesus cross today if you have never done so before.
Amen
Personal Prayer