For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
For there is one God, there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
They sing a new song, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)
The death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God on the cross reveals to us the character of God, His love for lost sinners and His Mercy. An amazing act of unconditional love, the Son of God endured sin's ultimate penalty in the place of even the worst of his enemies. Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb of God, becoming a substitute in the place of us sinners, an essential ransom price so that God's justice could be satisfied and that sinners may be set free from the penalty of death. Jesus died on the cross in atonement for our sins and of the whole world in order as an appeasing sacrifice for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. By His death on the cross Christ not only brought redemption through his blood for us but also the forgiveness of sins. We are reconciled and made justified with God as Jesus death removed the barrier of sin between God and us. A justified sinner receives eternal life as we recall one the criminals crucified alongside who had faith in Jesus said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) and what Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Jesus Christ used the cross as an instrument of our salvation. The cross of Jesus Christ is the place where all the wounds of sin are healed. In facing emotional problems such as guilt, anxiety, depression, anger, or whatever, there is healing in the cross of Jesus Christ. Also during tragedy or suffering, there is comfort in abundance as we contemplate the sufferings of our spotless Saviour hanging on the cross for us. As Saint Peter, the apostle of Christ wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness and by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24-25). And as foretold in the Old Testament by the prophet Isaiah, “Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases, yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Before we turned to Jesus Christ as our sin bearer, we were characterised by straying from the Good Shepherd, going our own way. We were lost even though we may not have known it. We were in danger of harm and even death, although perhaps we were oblivious to it. If we have turned to Him, it’s because He came looking for us. If you have not yet come to Him, you cannot save yourself. But the Shepherd is seeking you, even today. He wants to deliver you from the power of sin that causes you to stray from His loving care and protection.
As Saint Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:19-20) .We are to die cleanse of our sins and rise with Christ to a new life following Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life.
The cross of Jesus Christ crushed the devil and his angels and destroyed their hold on men. “Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14)
He did not sin, did not lie, did not revile, and did not threaten. He committed Himself to God. (1 Peter 2:18-23)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:1-4)
Jesus showed an example of humility and obedience for us to follow as He humbled himself to death for the sins of others, and we should be willing to do the same. (Philippians 2:5-11)
