Just One Look at the Cross
By Caron Cline
Burke County
As we approach Easter our hearts and minds are especially drawn to the sufferings of Christ on the cross and His triumphant victory over death. Sadly, many churches have taken their focus from the cross, yet without the cross, there would have been no sacrifice for sin. If there had been no sacrifice for sin, there would be no hope of salvation. Isaiah 53 paints a gruesome picture of the crucifixion of our Lord. “He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed”. ‘Pierced through’ means that He was wounded, profaned, and stained. ‘Crushed’ means that He was crumbled, bruised, and beaten to pieces. God the Father allowed all of our iniquity to fall upon the spotless, sinless Lamb of God. The cross was one of the most horrific instruments of execution and there Jesus poured out every last drop of blood to redeem and release mankind from Satan’s stranglehold. When the Messiah’s mission was accomplished, and the wrath of God satisfied, Jesus lifted up His voice and cried, ‘It is finished!’ According to Colossians 2:14, our Savior canceled out all the sin certificates attached to mankind by nailing them to the cross. Jesus truly humiliated Satan and all his fallen angelic hosts by shedding His blood as a ransom for sin. This is the power of the cross! Yet this power cannot be appropriated until one comes face to face with the fact that Jesus’ sacrifice is not only for the whole world but is also individual and personal. The only place that man can find God is at the cross. Therefore, whoever desires a relationship with the Lord must first come to the foot of the cross, realize the horror of their sin, confess the need for a Savior and wholly surrender their life to Him. At that moment, the great exchange is completed; sin is rejected and righteousness is received. The believer is eternally declared dead to sin and alive to righteousness. Unfortunately, the flesh continues to rear its ugly head in rebellion. The negative attitudes, ungodly desires, prideful thoughts, angry outbursts, and other fleshly tendencies must be executed! Although the power of sin is broken, it is often necessary to return to the cross and behold the excruciating suffering of our Lord as He paid the price for those sins. Just one look at the cross should be sufficient to fuel our determination to crucify our flesh with its evil passions and desires. Not only did Jesus die for sin, but He was also raised to life on the third day, conquering death, hell, and the grave! After 40 days of intensive discipleship training, He ascended to the Father. Ten days later, the Father sent the Holy Spirit. Now all followers of Christ are infused with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Just one look at the empty tomb should be sufficient to fuel our determination to live an abundant, overcoming life. While the cross breaks the power of sin and death, the Spirit empowers believers to put on the new self which is created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Indeed, the Kingdom of God is within us, guaranteeing the opportunity to live a life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. During this season, may we meditate on the power of the cross? Have we truly been crucified with Christ? Are we still living according to the flesh? If so, return and repent! Receive the Resurrected Lord and experience His Resurrection power forevermore!
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Caron is a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. She loves to teach the word of God.
Her desire is to see every believer grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
You can read more Christian News from Caron HERE.
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