Matthew 27:31-54
Introduction
There are crosses everywhere. We see them on church steeples, artwork, jewelry, tattoos, and plenty of other places. The cross has become so common that we have lost its true meaning. It is seen so often that people have forgotten the significance of the cross. What is often forgotten is that throughout human history, the cross has been central. From the creation of the world to the time Jesus lived on the earth, everything was moving toward the cross. The sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden made the sacrificial system of the Old Testament a necessity. It was that system that pointed to the coming of one who would be the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that is spoken of in the Book of Hebrews. Since the moment Jesus died on the cross, we have constantly looked back to that sacrifice as the final one. No longer is there a need for sacrifices. You see, the cross was a turning point. It was a game-changer. But why? What exactly happened on the cross over two thousand years ago?
A Broken Relationship Was Mended
In the Book of Genesis, we read the story of creation. We read of the first couple: Adam and Eve. In the midst of all the debates on the topic of creation, we quickly forget something significant about Adam and Eve, the perfect communion they had with the Creator God. There were no barriers between mankind and God at that time. Could you imagine the perfect relationship between God and Adam and Eve? Sin was not in the way. Pride was not in the way. Selfishness was not in the way. But that quickly changed. Adam and Eve gave into the temptation of Satan to eat of the fruit God had commanded them not to eat. Because of their disobedience, mankind was thrust into sin. It was through that one decision of these two individuals that mankind has been suffering from a sin problem from that day. The barriers that were once non-existent between God and mankind became insurmountable. All seemed hopeless. It appeared that there would no longer be communion between God and mankind. But there was a remedy that would come in two parts. First, the sacrificial system was put in place. Through that system of animal sacrifice, there could be fellowship between God and mankind. Ultimately, it pointed to the coming of the Son of God who would give His life on the cross as the perfect sacrifice. Through Jesus’ actions on the cross, the opportunity for mankind to have fellowship with God was made available. We have the opportunity to have fellowship and a relationship with God. Paul said in Romans 5:10 that “while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (NASB).” We have been reconciled. The relationship that was strained by sin is now reconciled through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. We are given the opportunity to know God personally and intimately.
A Guilty Defendant Is Set Free
When the Apostle Paul talks about the new life available in Christ, he often uses legal terms such as “justified”. But what exactly does that term mean? Here’s an interesting definition. To be justified means to be freed of the guilt and penalty of sin. Imagine a person who was guilty of a crime and sentenced to die. As the moments are nearing for him to die for his crimes, he is told that someone else has offered to die in his place and he is not only freed from jail, but also completely pardoned. The fact is that we, as human beings, stand guilty of sin before a holy and righteous God. We fail to measure up to His standards in ourselves. We are born into this world with a sinful nature. We do not have to learn how to sin; it comes naturally to us. The Law of God has been clearly revealed to us and we are without excuse. We stand before God as sinners deserving of eternal separation from Him in hell. We do not deserve to spend eternity with God. But something amazing happened when Jesus died on the cross. The individual who stood guilty before the righteous God could be set free because Jesus took their place. Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins. He suffered torment, broken fellowship with God the Father, and ultimately death. He did all of those things so that we might be freed from our sentence of death. When we place our faith in Christ, our record is expunged; it’s as if we have done nothing at all. We have a clean slate. When God looks at us He sees the blood of His Son that was shed to set us free. He doesn’t see us as we once were. We’ve been set free.
The Lost is Redeemed
The topic of redemption is central to the story of the Gospel. Redemption and justification go hand in hand. Without these two things, there is no Gospel. In the world we live, it is evident that sin is a powerful thing that has a strangle-hold on mankind. It has already been stated that we are born into a sinful world. We are constantly surrounded by it and often gripped by it. Sin is something that can have a death-grip on people. It is sin that holds individuals in bondage. Jesus’ death on the cross was the ransom necessary to free us from the bondage of sin. Jesus purchased our freedom through His death. Those who have not placed their faith in Christ are enslaved by their sin and in need of something or someone to free them. They feel lost, unfulfilled, and hopeless. There are people who are searching for something that will bring joy, contentment and fulfillment to their lives, but they can’t find it in anything this world has to offer. It is only through the work of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection that a person can find true freedom and fulfillment. Hebrews 9:11-12 says, “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calved, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (NASB).” Jesus paid our ransom when He gave His life on the cross.
Conclusion
Although the cross has become common in many ways, it should never lose its significance in our heart and mind. The cross is central to the message of the Gospel because it was on the cross that Jesus took our place. We deserved to be put to death on the cross for our sins against God. But God sent His Son into the world to die on that cross, taking upon Himself the penalty of our sins. It was on that cross that a relationship with God was made possible once again. It was on that cross that this guilty defendant was fully pardoned and record was expunged. It was on that cross that the ransom for my sins was paid and I was redeemed. This same redemption, freedom, and relationship is available to all who would accept it. We have an opportunity to have fellowship with the Creator of the universe and the Savior who gave His life for us. He is willing to set us free from the bondage of sin. Are you willing to place your faith in Him?