The Cross

“Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”

The Cross speaks of Sin: it was only by taking upon Himself and bearing the whole evil of sin, which at its core is hatred toward God, that He could break down the enmity.

The Cross speaks of a Curse: God’s judgment against sin; as long as man did not accept and approve that judgment as righteous, there could be no thought of his being restored to atonement with God.

The Cross speaks of Suffering: it is only, in suffering, the will of God is accepted, and everything given up to it, that there could be union with God.

The Cross speaks of Death: it is only as man is entirely dead to this world and his whole present self-life, that he can enter into, the life and glory of God. All this Christ did. His whole life was animated by the spirit of death and of crucifixion. It was in His bearing the cross and entering into God’s Holy Presence and by taking His place at the right hand of the Father, that the opening up a way in which we too could draw near. His death, the bearing of God’s judgment on sin, was the putting away of sin; He made an end of sin. In bearing the condemnation and the curse and death He bore away the sin; He abolished, broke the power of him who had the power of death, that is the Devil and set us, the Devil’s prisoners free. The Cross, and the Blood, and the death of Christ are God’s assurance to the sinner that there is an immediate acquittal to each one who will accept and entrust himself to it. All the claims that all the power Sin and Satan had over us, all are at an end. The death of Jesus was the death of sin and death. The path of the cross is the path Christ has opened for us; in it we have full liberty and power to draw nigh to God and take our place at Jesus’ side. This is the only way that leads to Holiness. It is the path on which the Master Himself walked; the path on which He is awaiting us; the only path on which we are to walk; the path on which we can lead others.