The Cross of Christ

The Cross of Christ

Sadly, many Christians today don't study the cross of Christ, or truly understand its significance. Jesus was sweating drops of blood in the garden praying the cup pass because it was the cup of God's wrath He was to drink for us - not because he was praying he not be put to death. He is the author and finisher of our souls (Heb 12:12) and our example. His disciples and many followers after Him also died on a cross or were put to death in other horrific ways and went to their death singing hymns and praising God. Our LORD did NOT fear the Romans and it was not the physical pain that brought Him the most turmoil but that " he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" 2 Cor 5:21

We are sinners, Entire law must be kept to not be cursed

Ja 2:10ff. Gal 5:3, Matt 5:19 Rom 3:23, 6:23, Deu 27:26

Cup of Wrath

Matt 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Isa 51:17,22

Jer 25:15-17,27-29

Lam 4:21-22

Eze 23:31-34

Hab 2:16

This is the cup of our wrath that Jesus drank for us and thereby bore the full punishment of the Father and curses of those that break the commandments (Psa 22, Deu 27:26, Deu 28:15ff.) See also verses in next section

Christ took away our sins, took our wrath and redeemed us

Heb 2:17; 9:28

Isa 53:10-11

2 Cor 5:21

Psa 75:7-8

Deu 27:26

Rom 3:25

1 Jn 2:12; 4:10

1 Pet 1:18-19

Rev 5:9

1 Tim 2:6

Tit 2:4

Eph 1:7

Col 1:14

Act 20:28

Gal 3:10

see also (Psa 22, Deu 28)

The Cross

• Canceled the emnity against us, (Eph 2:15
• Canceled that is law of commandments written in its ordinances (Eph 2:15, Col 2:14)
• Canceled certificate of debt and decrees were hostile to us (Col 2:14)
• Reconciled all things to Christ, made peace through blood of

Col 2:14... By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. [The crimes of criminals were written and nailed to the cross with them]

Eph 2:15 By abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace

Lifted Up

Num 21:6-9 Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Serpent: the very thing that was killing them was held up as the cure.

Men die from their own sin. Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom 8:3) and though He had no sin, "was made sin on our behalf" (2 Cor 5:21). He was held up on the cross.

As men were to believe on the serpent and turn to look upon it to be saved, so we should believe and look to the LORD. It is written, "Look to me and be saved" (Isa 43:22 KJV) and John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

He who was beloved of the Father became a curse (Gal 3:13) so those that are cursed would become beloved. (Luke 3:22, Col 1:13-14,22; 2:11-22; 3:12, Jude 1:1) 

Praise God for His resurrection we are about to celebrate and His coming again!