MEDITATIONS ON THE CROSS
OUTLINE
1.PORTRAIT OF THE CROSS
2.PARADOX OF THE CROSS
3.POSTULATE OF THE CROSS
4.PARADIGM OF THE CROSS
5.PATTERN OF THE CROSS
6.PROGNOSIS OF THE CROSS
7.PUZZLE OF THE CROSS
THE MESSAGE
MEDITATIONS ON THE CROSS
1.PORTRAIT OF THE CROSS
Isaiah 53 : 7 John 3 : 14 John 10 : 11
There are several portraits or pictures of the cross . We see Jesus as a lamb about to be slaughtered . He became the lamb of God which took away the sins of mankind. He was the lamb sacrificed to atone for the sins of mankind. We see Jesus as a brazen serpent which Moses lifted up in the wilderness to save the dying Israelites. Whoever looked to the brazen serpent was kept alive. Jesus is the remedy for dying humanity to look at and receive abundant life. We see Jesus as a good shepherd who gave his life for the sheep.He was not a hireling who fled when the wolf came. He is the good shepherd who gave his life for us . These are some of the portraits of the cross.
2.PARADOX OF THE CROSS
Colossians 2 : 14-15
The cross is an amazing paradox of a victory which appeared as a defeat. When Jesus was crucified it appeared as a victory for his enemies. The plans to destroy Jesus seemed to have succeeded . The enemies of Christ perhaps celebrated the death of Jesus. It looked like a defeat for Jesus but in reality it was a victory. Jesus won the victory over Satan on the cross. He provided Salvation for mankind through his sacrificial death on the cross. When Jesus shouted ‘It is finished ‘ it was not the sigh of a loser who had lost all hope .Rather it was the shout of a victor who had successfully completed his mission . The plan of God to provide redemption to humanity from sin , sickness , curses , demonic bondage and eternal damnation was successfully fulfilled at the cross.
3.POSTULATE OF THE CROSS
Romans 8 : 32
The cross presents a postulate or an argument to strengthen our faith in difficult times. If God was willing to sacrifice His Son for us , will He not give everything else that we need ? Sometimes people offer to give away their belongings such as books or clothes. But they keep their favourite books and clothes for themselves and give away the rest. But God did not keep even His most favourite object namely His Son for Himself . He loved man so much that He was willing to give His own Son to save mankind. This gives a powerful argument for our faith in difficult times when we doubt the goodness and faithfulness of God. The argument is that if God gave His Son himself for us surely He will also give everything else that we need. The cross gives a strong foundation for our faith.
4.PARADIGM OF THE CROSS
Matthew 27 : 39-54 Luke 23 : 39-43 Galatians 6 : 14
The cross is viewed from many paradigms and different viewpoints by people. When Jesus was hanging on the cross there were different kinds of reactions from people. Some mocked him saying ‘If He is the Son of God let Him come down from the cross ‘ The chief priests and Pharisees mocked Him saying ‘He saved others ,but He is not able to save Himself ‘. One of the thieves crucified along with Jesus also mocked Him saying ‘why don’t save yourself and us ‘ . But the other thief approached Jesus with humility saying’ Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom ‘. Jesus promised him that he would be with Him in paradise. The centurion declared that Jesus was indeed the Son of God when he saw the earthquake after the death of Jesus. Even today the world holds many different views on the cross. People of different religious beliefs react differently to the message of the cross. But the children of God who have experienced the power of the cross , boast and glory in the cross of Jesus which has transformed them.
5.PATTERN OF THE CROSS
Matthew 16 : 24 I Peter 2 : 21 Hebrews 5 : 8
The cross of Jesus has set a pattern for us to follow. Jesus said that whoever wants to follow Him should take up his cross and follow Him. Even though He was the Son of God still Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering. Similarly the children of God have to undergo difficulties which develop character. Every disciple will have to carry a cross.The cross may vary from person to person according to the need of his heart and the plan of God for his life. Jesus told a rich young man who wanted to follow Him to sell all his wealth and give it to the poor and then follow Him. That was the cross given to him because his heart was bound to his wealth . The Doctor give different advice to different patients according to their health needs. To one he says ‘avoid sugar’ ,to another he says ‘avoid salt’, to yet another he says ‘avoid oil’ according to the needs of their body. Similarly God gives different crosses to His children according to their spiritual need and divine destiny . The cross of Jesus is a pattern for us to follow.
6.PROGNOSIS OF THE CROSS
John 12 :32-33
The cross gives us a prognosis or prediction about the effect it would have on people. Jesus said ‘If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me’. Jesus made this prediction with reference to his death on the cross. This gives us a clear mandate and responsibility to lift Jesus and proclaim His love and sacrifice to the people of this world. When Jesus is lifted up He would draw men unto Himself. We should not try to promote ourselves and magnify ourselves before the people as it would not draw them unto Jesus. Rather we must glorify Jesus and He will draw men unto Himself.
7.PUZZLE OF THE CROSS
I Corinthians 1 : 23 , 18 I Peter 1 : 10-12
The cross remains a puzzle and a mystery to many. The Apostle Paul said that the cross was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish .But it is the power of God unto Salvation to those who are saved. Even the Angels are eagerly looking into the cross with amazement at the love of God towards mankind . Many today fail to understand the significance of the cross . They are blinded to the great salvation provided through the cross of Jesus Christ. They are bound to their religious traditions and human intellectualism and the cross remains a puzzle to them. May God grant that the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus would shine in the hearts of those who find the cross of Jesus a puzzle and bring them to the knowledge of the truth .
