Daily EncouragementNäide

In these simple words the event which lies at the heart of our Christian faith is described. It is a restrained description. John Stott observes, “The evangelists give no details of the crucifixion; they make no reference at all to hammer or nails or pain; or even blood.” Let the preacher use similar restraint, as did the apostles in their proclaiming of “the message of the cross” (1 Cor. 1:18).

For it is the meaning and the message of the cross which makes this statement sublime. Write alongside it words such as “Christ died for our sins” (1 Cor. 15:3), and it flames with light. We see the sin of man - “They crucified him”. Their action epitomizes man’s hostility to God, which is sin’s essence. We see the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ - “They crucified him.” “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). We sense the mystery and the agony of his death - “They crucified him.” The physical suffering points to the spiritual: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21).

Two other phrases make these words shine brighter still - “once for all” (Heb. 9:26) and “for me.” The work of the cross was perfect and complete - “the Son of God . . . loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).