Let God Speak #30: Why A Cross?

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Why a cross?

Why did Jesus die on the cross? Why is a ‘cross’ the symbol for Christianity? Why do Christians use a tool for torture and execution as our main distinction? 

Why do bad things happen to us? Often, it’s our own fault. We make mistakes, more than we’d care to admit, that build up interest. Sometimes, though, we just get a raw deal. Others are mean; life dumps on us. The problem is sin: our own sin, others’ sin, and a sinful world.

Jesus came to deal with sin. How did he do it? A cross. What story does the cross tell? Jesus came to this sinful world. He took our sin on his shoulders. He suffered in our place. He died the death we deserved. God is just. Someone had to pay for the sin of the world. That someone is Jesus. The Father gave his only Son; Jesus volunteered; God was delighted to take away the sin of the world through the blood of Jesus. 

What does the cross mean for you? Your sin is gone. Your guilt is forgiven. In God’s eyes, through Jesus, you are perfect. You are loved by God. And that’s not all! There’s more! But you will have to wait until next week to hear… Or go to a Good Friday and Easter service 😊.