The Wondrous CrossSample

The Cross: Back then Vs Now

The Cross back then was not a pretty sight. It was an ugly, horrible, terrible thing. It was filthy and shameful. It was Rome’s way of brutally shaming the worst possible criminal. The criminal would be tied to the wooden poles and hang there and suffer, which would eventually lead to his death. It was done in public so that everyone could see and scoff at you for the wrong you have done and condemn you. It was horrific. It was the worst possible death anyone could face. It was the most humiliating way to die.

But what did God do? He took this shameful, horrific, brutal practice and used it to display the greatest act of love. The cross, once the ugliest, most shameful thing on the planet today is the most beautiful, glorious, wondrous sight. Where heaven met earth, spirit met flesh, where God met man, where grace kissed mercy. He purchased our salvation and paid our debt and by his blood we are redeemed.

Coming back to God wasn’t our idea at all. It was all Him. Scarcely for a good man would someone dare to die. But for us? People who have fallen short of his glory. People who have missed the mark. People who are rebellious, stone hearted, stubborn, and arrogant? That is exactly what Jesus did for us. He came down to this earth, 100% divine, 100% human, and paid the price for us. Because without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness) of sin. Jesus being born of a woman, bypassed the sin of Adam and therefore was the perfect sacrifice. He being God and holy was able to be the perfect “Kurbaan” (sacrifice). Jesus now judges the living and the dead. He has been given the keys to heaven and hell.