Walking with Jesus to the cross
Luke 23:33-49 - Luke’s account of Jesus’ execution
Reading the accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, it is obvious how much Jesus suffered. He was betrayed and deserted by his closest friends, humiliated, beaten and put to death in the most horrible way. But despite all this, the crucifixion was seen by Jesus’ followers as central to all they believed. Within a few weeks of Jesus’ death, Peter was saying to the crowds in Jerusalem, “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”
As we walk with Jesus to the cross this Easter Friday we need to ask and answer the question “Why is the cross so important to Christianity?” and “Is the cross important to me personally?”
1. So why is the cross so important to Christianity?
The cross in today’s culture
The cross in Roman times
Was the cross of Jesus a tragedy?
Jesus’ death was no accident (Luke 18:31-32; Luke 12:50; Mark 10:32)
The greater tragedy
The symbol of mankind’s sin (Romans 5:8)
The symbol of God’s love
So, in walking with Jesus to the cross, we must appreciate that the journey is one that is seen by the world around us, as tragic, countercultural, humiliating, painful, one of suffering, submission and humiliation, but ultimately one of identification with God’s infinite love for His fallen creation and each of us personally as we own up to our sinfulness.
2. What is sin?
Right and wrong
We are responsible
Sin is seen in our actions (Romans 3:23; Romans 7:18-19)
Sin is more than doing wrong it is being wrong
The problem of sin requires a solution (Mark 7:20-23)
So, walking with Jesus to the cross, is a public journey that exposes our personal sinfulness and assumes responsibility for it. Acknowledging our sin simply says, “I have gone my way instead of God’s way. I have missed the mark and I want to realign with God’s purpose for my life. I need a solution to overcome my sin that leads to death and loss of eternal life.”
3. How is Jesus’ death a solution to sin?
Sin places us in slavery
To overcome sin requires God’s intervention - The Passover
Jesus is our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7-8a)
Jesus’ death is the necessary sacrifice
Jesus’ death is the sufficient sacrifice (John 1:29)
Walking with Jesus to the cross therefore means identifying with Jesus’ sacrificial death and accepting Him as the perfect Passover Lamb of God who bears our guilt, shame and punishment.
4. What did Jesus’ death achieve?
Victory over Satan (John 12:31)
Freedom from evil and the fear of death (Mark 10:45; Galatians 5:1)
Right standing with God - Justification (Romans 3:25)
Reconciliation with God (Colossians 1:21-22)
Salvation (Hebrews 10:10, 12, 14, 17)
Walking with Jesus to the cross, means that in dying to self we receive victory, freedom, justification, reconciliation and salvation.
This is why, almost 2000 years later, Christians still see the crucifixion of Jesus as the most important single event in history, and an awareness of its meaning as the most vital awareness in their own experience. It is only because Jesus was prepared to suffer that we have received the love and forgiveness of God.
Personal Challenge
Confess (or name) your sin before God
Repent (or turn) from your way to God’s way
Seek forgiveness from God for your sin
Submit to God’s rule of your life
Receive new life by asking God’s Holy Spirit to enter your life
Live for Christ by being obedient to God’s word
Prayer of commitment
Lord Jesus, I confess that I have been running my own life and have therefore sinned against You. I now turn from my own rebellious ways and ask for your forgiveness and today submit my life totally to Your rule over me. I now receive Your Holy Spirit into my life. I Thank You in faith for giving me both eternal life and the possibility of a full and overflowing life as I live in obedience to Your Word – the Bible.