The Lord Jesus bore our sins and died in what the culture of the day considered to be the most humiliating death imaginable, crucifixion!This was a means of death that was reserved for only the worst of criminals, and was not an acceptable means to die for any citizen of the Roman Empire. It was in the view of the people of the day a disgrace to die this way. Painful and shameful, there was no easy way to be crucified.
Nothing could make it less terrible, the bearing of all or part of the cross, the beating that preceded it, then the public procession of death, all eyes upon the victim. Arrival at the site of crucifixion provided no comfort. The condemned would be stripped of their clothing, emphasizing that the person had nothing which could be taken from them. They stood battered and shamed, vulnerable and altogether alone. Then they would be nailed or bound to the cross piece.The hoisting of the cross , this process was no less painful as the condemned lifted up be fore all so all could see. There they hung exposed and dying and always in place high traffic area so many could see.Subjected to jeers and insults of the crowd. Exposed to the elements, death was generally slow and agonizing ....This was the death that our Lord Jesus experienced for us all, and He did it willingly.
The Cross
Jesus was born to die, to face this humiliation: "Lamb that has been slain from the foundation of the world" Revelation:13:8b
The Cross of Jesus takes away all of our excuses, leaves us no reason to be excluded from a relationship with the great God. That is what the cross really accomplished , it was the moment in the stream of human history when God's great love was made manifested, the cross just shows us what has been eternally true, God wants to include humanity in His love for all eternity
A Sacrificed Life
Many look to Calvary, as the day when Jesus sacrificed His life for us, but what Calvary real did was show us what had always been true, that is Jesus scarified His whole life, His whole life,all His life ,all His life.That is Jesus would accomplish the will of God in life and in death .
The Cross was simply the logical conclusion to a life built on complete sacrifice to the will of God. His life could end no other way. The Cross declares for all time and eternity that Jesus would rather die then be found outside of the will of God.
The Cross was simply the logical conclusion to a life built on complete sacrifice to the will of God. His life could end no other way. The Cross declares for all time and eternity that Jesus would rather die then be found outside of the will of God.
"Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done." Luke:22:42
"Then said I, See, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O God" Hebrews:10:7
He Alone
Jesus went to the cross, He did what no other could ever do, He perfectly carried out the will of God to the point of death. Nothing would keep Jesus from walking in the path the Father sent Him to trod. No there could do this, face the shame and humiliation the pain the sin's imputation cast upon Him.
"Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we,
being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you
were healed." 1Peter:2:24
"For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him". 2Corinthians:5:21
Not-a-one of us could have been the Savoir, only Jesus has that exulted place.
All the gifted humanity, all the moral ethical or righteousness, or good intent of any of us could have done what Jesus did. there is no Prophet , nor Priest, or King , or great teacher, philosopher, not even the Apostles.
None of us could have atoned for humanities' sinful state. Only Jesus could and did. Jesus being fully human, and fully God, perfect Deity and sinless humanity in one person. Only He could and did. He never used His Deity for His own advantage, always in perfect surrender to the will of God. None of us could have bore that Cross perfectly in all its pain suffering and shame and humiliation, our lives could never atone for the our race's sin. Only Jesus could do this.
The Cross as horrible as it was,as humiliating as it was, it is in truth, the place of highest exultation! for Only Jesus could do this. The Cross shows us the perfect uniqueness of our Lord, that Jesus and Jesus alone is the Christ, that One by Whom the Great God reconciled humanity to Himself . It is, in it's humiliation the Highest place of Exultation!
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts:4:12
Salvation In Jesus alone.
"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."John:12:32
"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption"1Corinthians:1:30
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians:3:13
Jesus knew what lay beyond the cross, He knew that in His humiliation that Glory awaited.
"Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews:12:2
None Greater, has come lower to be lifted higher than Jesus.
"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption"1Corinthians:1:30
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians:3:13
Beyond the Cross
Jesus knew what lay beyond the cross, He knew that in His humiliation that Glory awaited.
"Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews:12:2
"For whoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted" Luke:14:11
" God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:" Philippians:2:9
"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and
blessing." Revelation:5:1
The Cross is that place of high exultation, for only Jesus could do what no other could do. He is lifted up higher than any other, for He alone is the One who accomplished for each of us our salvation. All Glory to Jesus!....Amen
Jesus the Object of Worship
The Cross is that place of high exultation, for only Jesus could do what no other could do. He is lifted up higher than any other, for He alone is the One who accomplished for each of us our salvation. All Glory to Jesus!....Amen
Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
Washington, Pa
Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP
Radio 1710 & 1670 AM in Washington, Pa.and 1710 AM in Bentleyville ,
Pa. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
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