Significance of the cross

Pastor Don Porter

We have entered into the season of Lent. Lent is traditionally a 40-day period when believers purposely descend into the desert in order to contemplate Christ’s suffering on the cross and to hear God’s still, small voice more effectively. It is intended to replicate Christ’s 40-day journey into the desert and his fast in preparation for what was to come - our salvation through His sacrificial death. Since we are in Lent, I think it is appropriate to look at the meaning of the cross. Let us look first at why the cross? In 1 Corinthians 1:18 it says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” A true story was reported about a couple that was visiting a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various cross necklaces, the woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?” That is what so many people want today: a cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any offense, one that will look cool with their outfits. But God had a purpose for sending His Son to die on the cross in our place. It was so we could have eternal life through Jesus’ sacrifice. It is hard today to understand the reason for the cross. But if we could travel back in time and see the cross in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and vile symbol. It would have been the worst picture imaginable to see someone hanging on a cross. The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to humiliate a person. Crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome. Anyone who has seen the movie ‘The Passion of the Christ’ may begin to realize the brutal death and suffering Jesus endured. If there was any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like this? If there had been any other way we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it. If living a good moral life would get us to heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did, because there was and is no other way. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the Cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world. If you were ever tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the Cross. Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross. His love did. I read about a person who wrote the following to a local newspaper advice columnist: Dear Uticus: “our preacher said on Easter that Jesus just swooned on the cross and that His disciples nursed Him back to health. What do you think?” Sincerely, Bewildered. The columnist replied: Dear Bewildered: ”Beat your preacher with a cat of nine tails with 39 heavy strokes, nail him to a cross, hang him in the sun for six hours, run a spear through his heart, embalm him, put him in an airless tomb for 36 hours, and see what happens.” Sincerely, Uticus. Anyone having seen the movie would know, like Uticus, that anyone who would claim that Christ did not in fact die on the cross is grossly mistaken. After all, Jesus was condemned by the Roman governor to die and the Roman soldiers were known for following orders. So to think they would somehow allow a prisoner to escape his sentence is foolish. These men were experienced with death and if they believed Jesus was dead, then He was dead! In fact the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side saw blood and water come out. Any doctor will tell you that this is a sure sign of death. But Jesus’ death on the cross was not the end of God’s plan. What sets the Christian faith apart from all other beliefs and religious systems in this world? It might come down to this: If you go to the tombs of any of the prophets on which world religions have been founded, you will find them occupied. If you go to the tomb of Jesus Christ, you will find it empty, because He is alive. We serve a living Savior. This is why the resurrection of Jesus is such an important message and also why it has been opposed so much throughout history. The devil knows the resurrection spells his defeat. He also knows if you believe this great truth that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again from the dead, it can change your life. Not only can it change your life, but putting your faith in Him also means you will have a new, resurrected body someday. As believers, we have this great hope we, too, will live again. This is something we should focus on over the Lent Period. Won’t you give your life to the One who died in your place?