Love Nailed To The Cross

LOVE NAILED TO THE CROSS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 5:8

Supporting Texts: John 3:16, 1 John 4:9–10, Galatians 2:20, Isaiah 53:5–6, Ephesians 3:17–19

INTRODUCTION:

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is not just a historical event—it is the greatest demonstration of love the world has ever known. Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." It was not nails that held Jesus to the cross; it was love—love for a lost and dying world, love for every broken soul, love for you and for me.

The cross is God’s eternal message of love written in red—Jesus’ blood. On that hill called Calvary, love was bruised, beaten, and crucified so that we could be redeemed, restored, and reconciled to God.

1. GOD’S LOVE WAS DISPLAYED WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS

His love is not dependent on our goodness but on His nature.

a) Divine Love Is Unconditional

God didn’t wait for us to be righteous before He sent His Son. His love reached out to us while we were still in rebellion (Romans 5:8).

b) Love Reached into the Depth of Our Sin

There is no sin so dark that the love of Jesus can’t redeem. The cross proves that even the worst of us can become the best in Christ.

c) God’s Love Preceded Our Repentance

He made the first move. Jesus’ death was not a reaction to our love but a revelation of His own.

d) His Sacrifice Was for the Undeserving

We did nothing to earn it. Grace and love met at Calvary to rescue the helpless and the hopeless.

Biblical Example: The thief on the cross had nothing to offer, but Jesus assured him of paradise—pure love and grace at work (Luke 23:39–43).

2. THE CROSS IS THE PROOF OF GOD’S COMMITMENT TO MANKIND

He did not just say “I love you”—He showed it.

a) The Cross Is Love in Action

1 John 4:9 declares, "In this was manifested the love of God toward us..." God didn’t just speak love—He demonstrated it in the most painful way.

b) Jesus Bore Our Pain to Prove His Passion

Every stripe, every nail, and every drop of blood was an act of deep commitment and selfless devotion.

c) Love Took the Place of Judgment

Rather than pour His wrath on humanity, God poured it on His Son. Jesus became the object of wrath so we could become the object of mercy.

d) The Cross Is the Everlasting Testimony of God’s Love

Calvary will forever echo God’s love across generations, cultures, and continents.

Biblical Example: Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac mirrors the Father’s heart—but God went further. He did not withhold His Son (Genesis 22:1–14).

3. LOVE CONQUERED DEATH TO BRING US LIFE

Jesus’ death was not defeat but the doorway to victory.

a) The Cross Was the Path to Resurrection

Love laid down His life only to take it up again. The grave could not silence divine love (John 10:17–18).

b) Eternal Life Was Released through the Cross

John 3:16 makes it clear: love motivated the gift of eternal life. Salvation is love’s greatest gift to man.

c) The Cross Broke the Curse of Sin and Death

Jesus became sin so that we might become righteous. Love rewrote our destiny at Calvary.

d) The Power of God Was Made Perfect through the Weakness of the Cross

What seemed like defeat was God’s greatest triumph. The cross is where love conquered all.

Biblical Example: Lazarus was raised from the dead as a foreshadow of the life-giving power of Jesus’ love that defeats death (John 11:25–26).

4. LOVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO BRING RECONCILIATION

The cross reconciled man to God and restored what was lost in Eden.

a) Reconciliation Required a Price

Sin separated us from God, but Jesus bridged the gap by offering Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18–19).

b) Jesus Paid the Full Price of Redemption

He didn’t give part of Himself—He gave all. Love held nothing back on the cross.

c) The Veil Was Torn—Access Was Restored

At Jesus’ death, the veil of the temple tore in two. Love opened the way for intimacy with the Father (Matthew 27:51).

d) We Are Now Called Sons and Daughters

Because of the cross, we are no longer strangers but heirs of God’s kingdom through Christ.

Biblical Example: The prodigal son’s return was made possible by the father’s unconditional love—a type of what God did through the cross (Luke 15:11–24).

5. LOVE DEMANDS A RESPONSE

God gave His all—now we must live for Him.

a) We Must Embrace His Love through Faith

Salvation is the response of faith to God’s loving invitation. It’s not enough to hear it; we must believe and receive it.

b) Love Must Be Returned in Worship and Obedience