Reach4Life- Journey 1: BelieveSample

Day Four: The Cross

“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.” 1 Corinthians, 1:18, NIV

LISTEN

In World War 2, some scientists were constructing the atomic bomb. One of the mechanics dropped a spanner into a radio­active device. Realising the bomb would explode in seconds, a top scientist reached in and grabbed the spanner. He saved everyone’s life, but lost his own because of radiation exposure.

This story echoes the message of the cross, where Jesus died for our sins so we wouldn’t have to.

LOOK

Mark 15:16-39

LEARN

While Jesus died a horrible, unfair death for all to see, something unseen and far worse happened. He, the sinless one, experienced the punishment our sin deserved so that we could be forgiven.

Our sin made him feel abandoned by his Father (v34). When he ‘breathed his last,’ the temple curtain tore in two - on its own (v38).

What does this mean?

Long before Jesus came, the Jews built a temple. God lived in it, in the Most Holy Place. No one could enter through the curtain, except the high priest once a year. It reminded the people that their sin was serious and separated them from God.

As Jesus died, the curtain was supernaturally torn apart! Signifying that God tore down the barrier separating us from him through the sacrifice of Jesus!

With our sins forgiven, the door is now open for us to live close to God.

What good news!

The freedom from guilt and close relationship with God offered by Jesus is not automatic. We must put our faith in Jesus and the cross. Then we can receive his blood-bought forgiveness and walk through the open door.

LIVE

· What has led you to, or stopped you from, trusting in Christ’s cross for forgiveness?

LINK

For more on The Cross, read:

John 12:23-33

Hebrews 10:19-22