At the cross.
Remembering who was there and why it mattered is critical for us as Christians.
The crucifixion of our Lord and Savior is absolutely central to the Christian faith. However, have you ever thought about those who were at the cross that day?
Now, I don't intend to do a brief Bible study on each individual/group as if to mine what the Lord is revealing to us by highlighting their presence there that day (you can certainly do that on your own if you want), but I simply wanted to make the observation.
Either way, as you reflect on the people present at Golgotha on the day our Lord was crucified, consider how at different times of our lives, we may see ourselves in each of them, for better or for worse.
Though the dispositions of some are more desirable than others, we may find that our hearts are not always in their proper place regarding the Savior.
Will we stay near to Him, devoted, regardless of the consequences? Or will we allow our circumstances to distort our hearts and taint our affections?
Wherever we find ourselves, there is hope -- in drawing nearer to the One who is able to do abundantly more than we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), as we repent of our sins, take up our crosses, and follow Him.
Now we're back to where we belong! When we prayerfully consider what it was like at the cross that day some 2,000+ years ago, we must keep our eyes firmly on Jesus Christ regardless of all the other people that His Word tells us were there that day with Him. It's about Him -- not them.
At this point, I should share how the necessity of the cross just came to mind.
What does the cross mean to you though? Many people in the world today view it as just a symbol of Christianity, something to hang around their neck, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day.
Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet, believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion.
That's the general consensus anyway. While I agree with that point to an extent, I think the greater point to be made is that to remove Jesus Christ from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion.
With that in mind, I wonder how many sermons will be preached tomorrow that make it sound like it's the cross that saves rather than Jesus Himself.
In any event, the subjects of blood, death, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this...
Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin.
According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
So, every time you see a cross, remember what it really was -- an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of your sins.
Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Jesus Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.
At the cross is at the place of victory.
Share|
Remembering who was there and why it mattered is critical for us as Christians.
The crucifixion of our Lord and Savior is absolutely central to the Christian faith. However, have you ever thought about those who were at the cross that day?
-- the religious leaders
-- the crowd
-- the soldiers
-- the centurion
-- Mary Magdalene
-- The woman who followed Jesus
-- Mary, the mother of our Lord
-- The disciple John
-- The thief
-- Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea
Now, I don't intend to do a brief Bible study on each individual/group as if to mine what the Lord is revealing to us by highlighting their presence there that day (you can certainly do that on your own if you want), but I simply wanted to make the observation.
Either way, as you reflect on the people present at Golgotha on the day our Lord was crucified, consider how at different times of our lives, we may see ourselves in each of them, for better or for worse.
Though the dispositions of some are more desirable than others, we may find that our hearts are not always in their proper place regarding the Savior.
Will we stay near to Him, devoted, regardless of the consequences? Or will we allow our circumstances to distort our hearts and taint our affections?
Wherever we find ourselves, there is hope -- in drawing nearer to the One who is able to do abundantly more than we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), as we repent of our sins, take up our crosses, and follow Him.
Now we're back to where we belong! When we prayerfully consider what it was like at the cross that day some 2,000+ years ago, we must keep our eyes firmly on Jesus Christ regardless of all the other people that His Word tells us were there that day with Him. It's about Him -- not them.
At this point, I should share how the necessity of the cross just came to mind.
Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV) And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
What does the cross mean to you though? Many people in the world today view it as just a symbol of Christianity, something to hang around their neck, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day.
Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet, believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion.
That's the general consensus anyway. While I agree with that point to an extent, I think the greater point to be made is that to remove Jesus Christ from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion.
With that in mind, I wonder how many sermons will be preached tomorrow that make it sound like it's the cross that saves rather than Jesus Himself.
In any event, the subjects of blood, death, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this...
How could anyone be saved if Jesus Christ had not been crucified?
Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin.
According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
So, every time you see a cross, remember what it really was -- an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of your sins.
Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Jesus Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.
At the cross is at the place of victory.
Share|
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