THE MESSAGE FROM THE CROSS IS LOVE

PROCLAMATION

“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)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in a letter to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Paul had heard that there was disagreement and division between the believers in the church at Corinth based upon which leader they were following. (1 Corinthian 1:10-12)  His message to them was that they should on one accord.  Christ was not divided, and His message was clear.  He told them that they should focus on the message of the cross.  He said that the world may think that the message of the cross is foolishness, but those who are saved know that it is the love of Christ and the power of God.

 

APPLICATION

The cross symbolizes the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  It divides mankind into two groups, believers who are saved and non-believers who are not saved.  The message of the cross should not divide saved people, it should unite them.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)  It was out of His love for us and His obedience to God, The Father, that Christ stayed on the cross. (Matthew 26:42 and Luke 22:42)  While suffering on the cross He showed His love by forgiving those who crucified Him and those of us who made His crucifixion necessary. (Luke 23:34)  The fear and reverence of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalms 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10)  Those of us, whom God has called to believe, know that all power and wisdom come from God. (1 Corinthians 1:24-25)  As we think about whom we are, what we have done, and what we have become, we know that we have been loved and blessed by God. (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)  To God be the glory!!!

 

THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS THE CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’  With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”  John 19:30 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the events related to the trial of Jesus by Pilate, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the words which He spoke while He was on the cross.  Jesus was scourged, beaten, and had a crown of thorns placed on His head. (John 19:1-3)  After making Him carry His cross to Golgotha, they nailed Him to the cross. (John 19:17-19)  He spoke seven times while hanging on the cross before He died. (He said, Father forgive them, Luke 23:34; He pardoned the thief on the cross next to Him, Luke 23:43; He told the Apostle John to take care of His mother, John 19:26-27; He said, Father God, why have You forsaken Me, Matthew 27:46;  He said, “I thirst.” John 19:28; He said, “It is finished.” John 19:30, and then He said, Father into Your hands I commend My spirit. Luke 23:46)  Jesus suffered and He died, but they did not kill Him; He willingly gave up His life.  Although He died on the cross and was buried in a borrowed tomb, He defeated death and three days later He rose from the dead. (Matthew 28:5-6)

 

APPLICATION

When Jesus, The Christ, said, “It is finished” He was referring to the redemptive work which He was assigned to do as payment for our sins. (John 17:4)  He had also fulfilled the prophecies which were written in the Old Testament regarding His death. (Genesis 22:18 and Isaiah 53:1-12)  As it was written, none of His bones were broken (Psalm 34:20 and John 19:33) and they pierced Him in the side. (Zechariah 12:10 and John 19:34)  The crucifixion did not kill Him.  He willingly gave up His life as the sacrificial lamb, dying for the sins of the world. (John 1:29 and John 15:13-14)  He who was without sin, took on the sins of mankind to redeem us and give us a chance at salvation.  However, in order to benefit from His redemptive work, we must believe in Him and His death, burial, and resurrection. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8 and 10:9)

 

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.  They came to a place called Golgotha, which means ‘the place of the skull.’ ”  Matthew 27:32-33 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle Matthew.  After Judas betrayed Him in the garden of Gethsemane, (Matthew 26:47-49) Jesus was arrested and taken to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes, and the elders, and the Sanhedrin council had assembled. (Matthew 26:57)  His “trial” was their attempt to find evidence against Him so that they could put Him to death. (Matthew 26:59-61)  They accused Him of blasphemy and began to physically abuse Him. (Matthew 26:62-68)  Then they bound Him and led Him away to be handed over to the Pilate the governor for execution. (Matthew 27:1-2)  In His “trial” before Pilate, who could find no wrongdoing and washed his hands from the blood of an innocent man, He was condemned and ordered to be flogged and crucified. (Matthew 27:11-26)  The soldiers took Him, stripped Him, whipped Him, beat Him, hit Him, spit on Him, mocked Him, and then led Him away to be crucified. (Matthew 27:27-31)  As Jesus was probably too weak to carry His own cross, they compelled Simon to carry it. (Matthew 27:32-33)  When they arrived at Golgotha, they nailed Him to the cross and continued to mock Him while He was on the cross. (Matthew 27:32-44)  Jesus died on the cross.  He gave up His life, they did not kill Him. (Matthew 27:50)  After He died, His body was taken by Joseph of Arimathea, wrapped in linen, and placed in Joseph’s new tomb. (Matthew 27:57-60)

APPLICATION

Simon, the Cyrene, was compelled by the soldiers to carry the cross of Jesus.  Today, we are not forced to carry a cross.  Jesus, The Christ, said that if we want to follow Him, then we must take up our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:24, and Luke 9:23)  We are to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Christ. (Luke 9:23)  The cross is not heavy.  Christ said, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)  The problem for us is that following Christ runs contrary to the way of the world and letting go of our worldly ways is difficult for us.  We need to be mindful of the fact that we cannot serve two masters; we must choose God or man. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  The choice is ours, however, like Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)