Good morning,
This Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In preparation for this event, the next three devotionals will deal with Christ, the Cross, and the Resurrection. Today we will look at the Cross of Christ.
What is the relevance of the Cross of Jesus to a believer in Jesus Christ? Why did Jesus have to go to the Cross?
1) Sin debt
Genesis 3 tells us of the original sin committed by Adam. His sin has passed down to all men.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
The penalty of sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
So how do we pay this sin debt?
2) The Cross
When Jesus went to the Cross, He shed His blood to bare, atone, redeem, and cleanse us from our sin debt.
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11) “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22) This is what Jesus did for us on the cross.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
As we learned yesterday, Jesus is God. So when Jesus voluntarily comes to earth to dwell with men, be beaten and abused, and then die for their sins on His Cross, that is amazing.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)
Tomorrow we look at the Resurrection.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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