What About God, Jesus, and the Cross?
Have you ever wondered why the cross plays such a central role in Christianity? You can hardly miss it when it comes to the Christian faith: it appears on and in churches, in artwork, jewelry, and countless other places. Sometimes, it even includes an image of Jesus hanging on the cross. But what does it all mean?
Some depictions leave little to the imagination—Jesus died on a cross, suffering a horrific death. For many Christians, this moment is the most significant event in human history. You may have even heard a believer say, "Jesus died for me." That’s a profound statement—but what does it really mean?
The meaning of Jesus' death on the cross is deep and complex, and no explanation can fully capture its significance. However, based on the Bible, we can explore three key perspectives that reveal the immense love of God expressed through Jesus' crucifixion.
1. The Cross in Relation to God
If you believe in the God of the Bible, He is absolutely perfect—completely holy, good, pure, and flawless. We, as humans, are not.
Our imperfection makes it impossible for us to stand in the presence of a perfectly holy God. It’s like stepping into scalding hot water—we simply cannot endure it. The Bible illustrates this truth through the experiences of various figures, such as the prophet Isaiah.
For humanity to be able to approach God, there had to be a solution. The incredible reality is that God Himself took on human form in Jesus and came into the world to take our place. By doing so, Jesus represented all of humanity, allowing God to reconcile with Himself and pay our debt.
2. The Cross in Relation to Humanity
Through Jesus' death on the cross, the relationship between God and humanity was restored. His sacrifice removed the barrier that separated us from God.
However, this reconciliation is not automatically granted to everyone. It is an offer from God that requires a response. He extends this gift out of love, but He desires for us to accept it willingly, out of love in return. God does not force anyone, because true love cannot be coerced—it must be chosen.
Christians who have made this choice experience the richness of this restored relationship daily, and they deeply desire for others to know it too. In addition to bringing reconciliation with God, Jesus' crucifixion serves as the ultimate example of selflessness. He gave Himself entirely for our sake. The Bible calls believers to adopt this same servant-hearted, generous, and giving attitude in their own lives.
3. The Cross in Relation to Evil in the World
When the first humans rebelled against God, they pulled all of humanity into a fallen state, allowing evil to take hold. From that moment on, the world has been under the oppression of a hostile force—Satan.
Jesus' crucifixion can be compared to the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day. When the Allies landed on the beaches, it was clear that liberation was only a matter of time. The enemy forces realized it too. There was still fighting ahead, and hardship to endure, but ultimate victory was inevitable.
Similarly, Jesus’ death and resurrection mark the decisive turning point. We still live in a world where evil causes suffering, but the final victory is coming. Even the forces of darkness recognize this reality. They know that Jesus will return to set everything right, and when He does, evil and death will be completely defeated.
A Time of Grace
We now live in the period between D-Day and V-Day, a time the Bible refers to as the "age of grace." There is still an opportunity to choose where you stand. Will you remain under the rule of the oppressor, or will you choose Jesus, the Liberator?
The cross stands as a symbol of God’s love, the restoration of our relationship with Him, and the ultimate victory over evil. The choice is yours.
The wonders of the cross
What happened in the final 18 hours before Jesus’ death on the cross?
In the email series The Wonders of the Cross, Wilkin van de Kamp takes you as close to Jesus as possible, revealing the magnitude of His sacrifice for you—an event that has the power to change your life forever.
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