People look at the cross for various reasons. For many it is a religious symbol that reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made. For some it is a piece of jewelry. And for others it is something used for interior decoration. I would like to share five things the cross can teach us.
The cross teaches us that sin will separate us from God. Isaiah 59:1, 2 says our sin separates us from God. Romans 5:8 says God showed his love to us while we were yet sinners. You see, Jesus was separated from God because of our sin and its consequences.
The cross also teaches us about forgiveness. According to Hebrews 10:10-18, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for sin for all time. The cross teaches us that forgiveness takes sacrifice even on our part toward others.
The cross teaches about success. Jesus’ death might be considered a failure today. Yet, in John 19:30, as he was dying, Jesus said, “It is finished.” You see, he succeeded in his mission to do God’s will. A Christian’s success is accomplished by doing God’s will.
The cross teaches us a course about love. In John 15:13 Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus taught us about love by freely dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
The cross teaches us about Jesus’ drawing power. Jesus says in John 12:32, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” And Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Jesus died on the cross to draw us to him for salvation.”
We need to remember that the power is not in the cross but it is a reminder of what happened there and why.
The power is in the gospel; the good news about Jesus. He came from God to teach us how to live. He died. He was buried. And he arose alive from the grave.
It is not the cross that draws us to God but, rather, the Christ who died on the cross.
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