CrossTalk: So what about the Cross?

CrossTalk: So what about the Cross?

But he was pierced for our rebellion,

   crushed for our sins.

He was beaten so we could be whole.

   He was whipped so we could be healed.

He was oppressed and treated harshly,

   yet he never said a word.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.

   And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,

   he did not open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:5, 7

“So what about the cross? It doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m not a Christian, in fact, I’m not even religious - I don’t believe in God. Easter is all about bunnies and chocolate eggs for me”.

These are the sentiments of many non-religious people, maybe even you. Well you’re at the right place, religious or not, Christian ot not. This post is for all. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist. I could go on. Whether or not you acknowledge God, the facts still remain. He died and He died for you. It’s not a “belief system” or merely “religion”, it’s the truth.

It may not have been today exactly, but it happened. What you don’t realise is that it completely changed your fate, my fate - the fate of all mankind. The Bible in Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death”. This, at its core, is true. Are we all sinful? Do we do bad things as human? Yes to both. Then why aren’t we dead? It’s simple. Jesus death on the cross was the death we were supposed to die. He took our place, paid a debt He did not owe and paid a price we could not pay. He could have scrapped the entire human race and started again, but He did not.

Here’s another important fact. Sin separates us from God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the beginning, they were separated from God - but it didn’t end that way. Because of God’s great love for us, He could not bear to be away from us, we are the object of His deepest affection - He had to make a away. That’s just what He did. Revelation 13:8 lets us know that Jesus was the Lamb “slain from the foundation (the beginning) of the world”. This means the ultimate sacrifice had already been planned from the beginning of time - a way had already been made. Jesus had to come and die to restore the connection between man and God and once again open the way to heaven - living with God forever. Would you give up your only child for people that don't even care? No, you wouldn't.

If you remove Jesus and His significance from human history, which so many people and belief systems have done, you lose the last pieces to the puzzle of life. Some say He was just a good guy who could heal, some say He was just a prophet, some say He was not the Messiah. Without Jesus as the Son of God, you remove His sacrifice for mankind and His death for you and me. Remove His sacrifice for mankind and you remove hope of heaven and an abundant live - you totally remove salvation. You kill yourself trying to “earn heaven” and start keeping tallies of how good/bad you’ve been. Think about it, what's the use of a God or a Saviour if you can get to heaven yourself? It’s such a relief to know that the price is paid, in full. Heaven is now free for us, a free gift. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross removed the need to work my way into heaven or curry favour with God, lest I be banished from His presence.  This is a lie straight from Satan, he knows that if we tried to get to heaven by “good works” that we would fail miserably, which is why his whole purpose is to trip us up every day and call into question Jesus being the Son of God. It all makes sense now right?

He is a God of love. Would you not prefer to know that you can somewhat relax in the knowledge that His death on the cross means you are given heaven and salvation as a gift? Not because of your works - I know that this truth is a game changer for me and how I live my life. I now live in gratitude to God for His sacrifice, the one that left me free, the one that restored the connection between me and God, The sacrifice that ensures that the wages of my sins is not death, so long as I accept Jesus. It's a message for all, not just Christians. You can accept Him too. Will you?

Here's an excerpt from one of my favourite songs:

"You thought I was worth saving So you came and changed my life

You thought I was worth keeping So you cleaned me up inside

You thought I was to die for So you sacrificed your life

So I could be free So I could be whole So I could tell everyone I know"

So what about the cross?  It’s not just a historical fact (it is proven), it is the key to your eternal life.

Pray this Prayer today:

God - I am so sorry for taking Your sacrifice for granted. I now understand why You died and why it is so important to accept Your sacrifice and accept You as my saviour. Help me to live in gratitude every day and live in a way that is worthy of the price You paid to win me back.