The Message of the Cross

The death of Jesus on the cross over 2,000 years ago was one of public torture, humiliation and suffering, and we probably can’t imagine the depth of pain He endured. This was the price Jesus paid for us. He took on the sin of mankind to settle the debt on our behalf, so we could be freed. Because of God’s love for the world, the cross made the way for us to be forgiven as our sin separates us from God.  

The cross is God's statement of love to the world, as there was nothing more precious He could give us, than to sacrifice His only son whom He loved. The Bible tells us there is no other way to be cleansed from sin, only through the cross and blood of Jesus. When we accept Jesus' payment for our sin it then restores us to right standing before God. Although Jesus was crucified, He laid down His life of His own accord. He knew it was His Father's will for Him to die and the suffering He would endure was for a purpose.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (John 10:18)

Jesus drew many followers with His healings, miracles and teachings which angered the religious leaders of that day. They wanted him removed by having Him put to death, but they needed Rome’s approval first. Jesus was arrested and taken to Pontius Pilate, who found no reason to charge Him and therefore sent him to Herod. Jesus refused to answer Herod's questions, so was sent back to Pilate who found Jesus innocent, but as he wanted to please the crowds and their demands, he sentenced Jesus to death. Jesus was then beaten, mocked, stripped, given a crown of thorns and was made to carry His cross to Calvary to be crucified.

Flogged

Flogging was done publicly to make it as humiliating as possible. A person was bound to a post, stripped and flogged from their shoulders to their loins. This would leave a person bleeding, weak, in severe pain and near death. The Romans used what was called the ‘cat of nine tails’ for flogging in those days, which was a leather-thronged whip with tiny pieces of iron, glass or bone chips tied onto the ends of each thong. This would have ripped the skin open. Each stroke of the whip would have torn the flesh so bad eventually the human bones would be visible. His back would have been ripped completely open after 39 lashes. (40 lashes were the maximum allowed under Roman law).

Crown of Thorns

Soldiers twisted thorns together to make a crown which was then thrusted onto His head. A staff was put in His right hand, and they knelt before Him and mocked proclaiming "Hail, king of the Jews”! ​ (Matthew 27:29). As Jesus was unable to carry the cross all the way to Golgotha, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it for Him.

The Crucifixion

Crucifixion was a method of torture used by the Romans in those days, as it was the most cruellest form of execution. It was capital punishment for traitors, slaves and the worst of criminals. Jesus was crucified between two convicted criminals. Soldiers drove stake-like nails through Jesus' wrists and ankles, fixing Him to the cross. A plaque was then placed above Jesus to mock which read ‘King of the Jews.’ People shouted insults and soldiers cast lots for His clothing. Jesus hung on the cross for several hours before taking His final breath. Darkness covered the land, and there was a violet earthquake which shook the ground and split the temple veil in two from top to bottom. Tombs broke open and bodies of many people who had already died were raised to life.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (Matt 27:51-52)

It was usual practise for the Roman soldiers to break the legs of those crucified to quicken death. As Jesus had already died, they pierced His side. The account of Jesus’ death is recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

The Resurrection & the Life

The cross isn’t just a message of death and suffering, but also hope, life, resurrection and victory! Death itself was defeated when Jesus rose again.

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." 

(John 11:25-26)

After Jesus was crucified, His body was placed in a tomb. A large stone was then placed over the entrance and two soldiers kept guard. On the third day there was a violent earth-quake and an angel rolled back the stone. The guards shook in fear as an angel, dressed in bright white sat upon the stone. 

He Is Risen!

The angel announced to the women who came to prepare Jesus’ body for burial that He was no longer in the tomb, " He Has Risen”! After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the women and later to at least twice of the disciples while they were gathered for prayer. He visited two disciples on the road to Emmaus and also appeared to other disciples while they were fishing. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus gathered the eleven disciples together on the Mount of Olives.  His mission was accomplished, the purpose He had come to earth for was now completed. Jesus then ascended up to heaven in a cloud with the disciples watching on to be beside His father. Two angels dressed in white robes asked them why they were looking up into the sky, and told them this would be the place in which He would return. 

This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)

Jesus’ ascension to heaven is detailed in Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:6-12; and 1 Timothy 3:16.

The Message of the Cross

The cross represents Christ's victory over sin and death through the sacrifice of His body on the cross. Those who sentenced Him to death and nailed Him to the cross only carried out the fulfilment of God’s intended plans. The message of the cross is one of forgiveness and reconciliation to God. Gospel means ‘Good News’, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news, the best news anyone will hear!

God's holiness and justice demands that sin is paid for by punishment and the only penalty for sin is eternal death. The Bible tells us the only way for sinners to be saved is to accept by faith Jesus and His death on the cross. Christianity is not about trying to be a better person or turning over a new leaf, as you cannot earn a place in heaven by good works, only by placing your faith in Jesus and Him alone for your salvation! Salvation cannot be obtained any other way. 

“I did not come to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13)

Religion is rules and regulations that no-one can possibly adhere to. It is only by God’s grace we can be saved.