Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus
Encounter The Cross Part 1
An ancient execution devise is now a universal symbol of hope and life.
Locations & Times
Church of The Nazarene- East Rock
East Side Hwy, Elkton, VA 22827, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Today we are beginning our new teaching series called “Encounter The Cross”.
We want to see and understand how this ancient execution devise is now a centuries old symbol for hope and life. We want to experience the life and victory that the cross offers. We want to encounter the cross.
Our series begins today with the one central story, rather the one person, who transformed the cross from a symbol of suffering and shame, to a symbol of life and hope.
Let’s turn to our teaching text today in Mark 15
We want to see and understand how this ancient execution devise is now a centuries old symbol for hope and life. We want to experience the life and victory that the cross offers. We want to encounter the cross.
Our series begins today with the one central story, rather the one person, who transformed the cross from a symbol of suffering and shame, to a symbol of life and hope.
Let’s turn to our teaching text today in Mark 15
Why we can find life and hope in something as gruesome as a cross is because of one man, and that’s Jesus. It was his crucifixion that transformed the cross into a symbol of life and hope.
Verse 24 simply says “And they crucified him.” That was enough for any first century reader.
As familiar as we are with the Golden Arches being beside our roads, so the people of the first century were familiar with what it meant to be crucified. It needed no further explanation. They got it, their stomach turned at the very thought of it.
Jesus’ hands are stretched out and nailed to the cross beam. Heavy metal spikes pounded through the bone and flesh into the wood. His feet are done the same.
Verse 24 simply says “And they crucified him.” That was enough for any first century reader.
As familiar as we are with the Golden Arches being beside our roads, so the people of the first century were familiar with what it meant to be crucified. It needed no further explanation. They got it, their stomach turned at the very thought of it.
Jesus’ hands are stretched out and nailed to the cross beam. Heavy metal spikes pounded through the bone and flesh into the wood. His feet are done the same.
We can get a sense of the public disgrace that came with crucifixion. Victims were normally completely naked, exposed in a very public place. Passers by add insult to the already immense physical injury. Even the two other criminals join in the taunting of Jesus.
There is quite a bit of sad irony in their taunting. Jesus is the Messiah, the King of Israel. He COULD save himself, but he refused so that he might save them (and us).
And with a loud cry, Jesus breathes his last. It’s finished.
This is the cross.
There is quite a bit of sad irony in their taunting. Jesus is the Messiah, the King of Israel. He COULD save himself, but he refused so that he might save them (and us).
And with a loud cry, Jesus breathes his last. It’s finished.
This is the cross.
The punishment that Jesus endured on the cross, was not his own, it was ours. My Sin and your always has consequences, and it always leads to death.
So on the cross Jesus takes the punishment of our sin, of our failures and mistakes. In this action he makes what the bible calls “atonement” for our sin. That’s a churchy word that means he has born the consequence of our sin, he has made the payment for sin. Jesus took that for all humanity.
The effect of this atonement is that we can be forgiven, our record of sin can be wiped clean, we receive new life, a new spirit, and we are brought into the family of God.
That’s what Jesus has made possible for you and me by grace, through believing in him.
To follow Jesus, to experience the life he offers us, we must deny ourselves. We have to turn from our way of doing things, to living any way we want, following the desires of the world and of our flesh- we have to treat those things as if they were dead. Having no power or authority of us.
It’s a complete turning away from life our way, to life God’s way as it’s shown by his spirit and in his word. God will help you do this, it’s the only way it’s even possible. But make no mistake about it, it is a real and true DEATH to yourself, that you find life in Christ.
The invitation to follow Jesus is an all-in, no holding back, radical call to die to yourself, and embrace him. And when we do, we find a life so free, so amazing, we cant help but have crosses around as a celebration of what God has done for us in the person of Jesus.
This is what it means to encounter the cross!
So on the cross Jesus takes the punishment of our sin, of our failures and mistakes. In this action he makes what the bible calls “atonement” for our sin. That’s a churchy word that means he has born the consequence of our sin, he has made the payment for sin. Jesus took that for all humanity.
The effect of this atonement is that we can be forgiven, our record of sin can be wiped clean, we receive new life, a new spirit, and we are brought into the family of God.
That’s what Jesus has made possible for you and me by grace, through believing in him.
To follow Jesus, to experience the life he offers us, we must deny ourselves. We have to turn from our way of doing things, to living any way we want, following the desires of the world and of our flesh- we have to treat those things as if they were dead. Having no power or authority of us.
It’s a complete turning away from life our way, to life God’s way as it’s shown by his spirit and in his word. God will help you do this, it’s the only way it’s even possible. But make no mistake about it, it is a real and true DEATH to yourself, that you find life in Christ.
The invitation to follow Jesus is an all-in, no holding back, radical call to die to yourself, and embrace him. And when we do, we find a life so free, so amazing, we cant help but have crosses around as a celebration of what God has done for us in the person of Jesus.
This is what it means to encounter the cross!