THE CROSS
The instrument of a slave’s death, associated with the ideas of pain, guilt, and disgrace. “The very name,” writes a Rabai, “ought to be excluded not merely from the body, but from the thought, eyes, and ears of Roman citizens.” The Hebrews, having no term for it as not being a punishment in their nation, called it “warp and woof.”
Scourging generally preceded crucifixion: so Jesus foretold in Isa 53). Pilate had probably hoped the Jews would be content with this scourging, and still let Him escape crucifixion. Jesus bore His own cross toward Golgotha outside the city, but sinking exhausted probably He was relieved, and it was transferred to Simon of Cyrene; prefigured in Isaac carrying the wood (Gen 22:6; and in Isa 9:6, “the government shall be upon His shoulder”). Jesus’ sacred and lacerated body was raised aloft, the hands nailed to the transverse beam, the feet separately nailed to the lower part of the upright beam so as to be a foot or two above the ground (others think the two feet were pierced by one and the same nail). He would meet suffering consciously. Near death, to fulfill Ps 69:21, He drank of the sour wine or vinegar kindly offered Him on a sponge. His death was hastened by rupture of the heart (see Mark 15:23; compare John 19:28; Matt 27:48). The sour wine called posca was the common drink of the Roman soldiers. Pilate marveled at His speedy death, crucifixion often not terminating in death for days. The approach of the Passover sabbath, one of peculiar solemnity, led to his permitting the Jewish law to be carried out which forbids bodies to hang after sunset (Deut 21:22-23). His legs could not be broken, because the Passover type must be fulfilled (Ex 12:46).
The agony consisted in: (1) the unnatural position of the body, causing pain at the least motion; (2) the nails being driven through the hands and feet, which are full of nerves and tendons, yet without a vital part being directly injured; (3) the wounds so long exposed bringing on acute inflammation and gangrene; (4) the distended parts causing more blood to flow through the arteries than can be carried back through the veins; (5) the lingering anguish and burning thirst.
The Power of the Cross Produced:
- Restitution
- Restoration
- Redemption
- Healing
- Hope
- Freedom
- Forgiveness
- Resurrection
- Renewal
- RESTITUTION- Restoring to the rightful owner something that has been taken away, stolen, lost, or surrendered.
- RESTORATION- To return to a former state; to bring back to spiritual health.
- REDEMPTION – In the Old Testament redemption was applied to property, animals, persons, and the nation of Israel as a whole. In nearly every instance, freedom from obligation, bondage, or danger was secured by the payment of a price, a ransom, bribe, satisfaction, or sum of money paid to obtain freedom, favor, or reconciliation.
In the New Testament, redemption refers to salvation from sin, death, and the wrath of God by Christ’s sacrifice. In the Old Testament, the word redemption refers to redemption by a KINSMAN rescue or deliverance and ransom In the New Testament it refers to loosing and loosing away.
The New Testament emphasizes the tremendous cost of redemption: “the precious blood of Christ” which is also called an atoning sacrifice, “a propitiation by His blood” Believers are exhorted to remember the “price” of their redemption as a motivation to personal holiness. The Bible also emphasizes the result of redemption: freedom from sin and freedom to serve God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- You Can’t be Redeemed Without a Redeemer.
- There is no Redeemer if There is no Need For One.
- A Redeemer Does What Only a Redeemer Can Do.
- HEALING -Lit., in its meaning of making whole or well, as in Ecclesiastes 3:3. In this way it occurs in prayers for restoration to health (Numbers 12:13; Psalms 6:2; Jeremiah 17:14); and also in declarations as to God’s power to restore to health (Deuteronomy 32:39; 2 Kings 20:5-8). Isaiah 53:5 – But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
TYPES OF HEALING:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Relational
- Eternal
- HOPE – is “Confident expectancy”. In the Bible, the word hope stands for both the act of hoping and the thing hoped for. Hope does not arise from the individual’s desires or wishes but from God, who is Himself the believer’s hope: “My hope is in You” (Ps 39:7). Genuine hope is not wishful thinking, but a firm assurance about things that are unseen and still in the future. In contrast to Old Testament hope, the Christian hope is superior.
(Romans 8:24-28] Hope IN:
- Who He IS
- What He DID
- And What He CAN DO
- FORGIVENESS – the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven.
- FREDOM – the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.
Forgiveness is not an easy thing to talk about, nor is it an easy thing to do. 1) Jesus talked about forgiveness with His mouth. 2) Jesus demonstrated forgiveness with His life. 3) Jesus demonstrated forgiveness with His life. 4) Jesus manifested forgiveness in His death. Jesus manifested and demonstrated forgiveness at the most difficult time of His life (emotional, physical, and spiritual]. Jesus gave forgiveness to those who didn’t deserve it. Jesus talked about when He gave the Lord’s Prayer and He says it again from the cross.
“Jesus was God’s son. Everything He accomplished was because of God’s love and the Spirit that empowered Him.” The Power of the Cross produced ‘Redemption & Restoration’ – ‘Hope & Healing’ and ‘Forgiveness & Freedom’. The Spirit empowered Christ to say 7 things from the Cross. But when He said, “Father forgive them” it produced “Forgiveness and Freedom for all. There is freedom in forgiveness: 1) Christ forgave those who did not deserve it. 2) Those who did Him wrong. 3) Those who falsely accused Him. 4) Those that forsook Him.
HOW DID JESUS FORGIVE?
- He Confessed It.
- He Quoted Scripture.
- He Talked to God His Father.
FORGIVENESS IS A MUST!
- Forgiveness is a must for you to have unhindered relationships [God & man].
- Forgiveness is a must for you to have peace [it’s for you, not them].
- Forgiveness is a must for you to have freedom [it holds you captive not them].
- Forgiveness is for you.
- Forgiveness is for others.
- Forgiveness has to be given.
- Forgiveness has to be received.
- Forgiveness comes from God.
- Forgiveness brings FREEDOM!
- RESURECTION – the action or fact of resurrecting or being resurrected:
- RENEWAL – an instance of resuming an activity or state after an interruption:the state or process of being made spiritually new in the Holy Spirit.
THE CROSS PRODUCED RESURRECTION & RENEWAL – but the most amazing thing about Resurrection and Renewal is He has to “APPEAR” or “SHOW UP” to accomplish either or both. The most amazing part of the Resurrection is that: “HE APPEARED Mark 16:9 says; “Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared…”
He appeared to Mary Magdalene who He cast 7 demons out of… He appeared to the 2 on the Damascus Road who were hopeless and helpless. He appeared to James His brother who truly didn’t understand Him. He appeared to Paul who persecuted and killed Christians. And who was against the Christian church. He appeared to Thomas who doubted. And he appeared to Peter who denied Him three times (do you love me three times). The appearances are so important because it shows Christ alive, but it also shows how we can relate to all if not all these people and situation and it also shows God’s desire to relate to us… He keeps showing up! His appearance produced Resurrection and Renewal… Jesus resurrected their hope and renewed their belief.
Jesus Appearing Was:
- Personal (He appeared to people and related to them where they were)
- Patient (He kept showing up-even when people didn’t believe or expect it)
- Pertinent (logical evidence that pertained to Christ’s resurrection)
- Passionate (He was emotional and intense – “It is I” – “touch me”)
- Real (He met them where they were – He ate with them)
- Reassuring (He calmed – He didn’t condemn)
- Revealing (He shared and showed – they talked and touched)
He kept showing up and Jesus appearing “Resurrected” their Hope and “Renewed” their belief in Him. And He wants to do the same for you today!
