Most christians understand the true meaning and general purpose of the Cross. In fact, it is doubtful anyone can be saved without a measure of understanding of the message of the Cross, the central message of the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:6).
It is beyond the scope of this message to give full details concerning the divine exchange Jesus made on the Cross for all mankind. Briefly, from the study of Isaiah 53:4,5 and 1 Peter 2:24 we understand that on the cross Jesus fulfilled all spiritual and physical needs of mankind.
On the physical plane, Jesus bore our sicknesses and pains that we, through His wounds might be healed. Jesus was wounded that we might be healed.
On the spiritual plane, Jesus received the punishment due to our transgressions and iniquities that we, in turn, might be forgiven and so have peace with God. Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven.
The truth of the completed divine exchange is revealed in the following Scripture:
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV).
In other words, Jesus was made sin with our sinfulness that we might become righteous with His Righteousness.
Having said the above, I believe some christians may ask why must Jesus died on the Cross for our redemption? And why not death by some other means?
Most Bible scholars or theologians would probably say that the crucifixion on the cross was the usual way for the Roman goverment to carry out executions. In fact, according to historians the cross was the only way to torture and execute Roman slaves and non-Roman criminals. However, the Roman citizen was exempt from this form of death - for example, in the case of the apostle Paul. Therefore, in the eyes of the Romans, Jesus was considered both a slave and a criminal!
I believe God has a primary divine purpose for Jesus to die on the Corss to "purchase" blessings for Israel. The "problem" was Moses Law. God made His Law through Mosses for all Isrealites to obey. The Law of Moses was given to all the Israelites who came out of Egypt and all generations following before Jesus came. Anyone found breaking any part of the Law was automatically under a curse. it is a fact that no one had kept the Law and therefore all Israel were under a curse. Jesus came to fulfill the Law (Matt. 5:17), and so He must become a curse for all who were under the Law of Moses to release them from the curse. Jesus fulfilled Deu. 21:23 which says a person executed by hanging on a "tree" (a wooden form of the cross) came under the curse of God.
What about the Gentiles who were not under the Law?
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we migh receive the promise of the spirit through faith" (Gal. 3:13,14).
Galation was written to christians (Gal. 1:2), Notice that Jesus also redeemed us (Gentile believers) from all curses listed by Moses in Deuteronomy. In other words, Jesus became a curse that we might receive the blessing. A was was made for all or us to be released from all thoses curses listed in Deuteronomy 28.
Bur, if we fail to "obey the voice of the Lord and to observe all His commandments" (Deut. 28:15) we have unknowingly denied what Jesus had done for us on the Cross!
No comments:
Post a Comment