Why was the Cross Needed?
Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee 5/2/2017
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1Co 1:18)
As many were astonied at thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (Isa 52:14)
There are several verses in the Bible that speak about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ but for a few minutes today, let’s focus on one very important reason the cross was needed.
According to Herodotus, Persians invented crucifixion, and the Romans perfected it. Probably originating with the Assyrians and Babylonians, it was used systematically by the Persians in the 6th century BC. Crucifixion was the most obscene, agonizing & disgraceful way one could die. There is a heart wrenching piece done by David Terasaka, M.D. – Medical Aspects of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It can be found on the Blue Letter Bible* (see reference at bottom of page) and other places on the internet (please be sure the article lines up with the Bible). Followers of Christ should read it to understand the agony Jesus went through for us out of His love for each one of us.
The cross was not an invention of our LORD God (He is not the author of evil) but He knew the hearts of the Romans & of the Jews. It was used by the Assyrians and then perfected by the Romans. Many people like to lay the blame on the Chief Priests, Elders and Rulers of the synagogues as they do Pilate and Herod, but the multitudes were all in agreement. The chief priests, wanting to release Barabbas, moved the crowd to the horrendous death via the cross. Mark 15:14 reads, “Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify Him”. The majority thirsted to see Jesus crucified by the cross. And to appease the people, Pilate released Christ for crucifixion after being beaten very close to death. No mortal man could have withstood the punishment that Jesus received. No criminal had been done the way our Lord had been done – “marred more than any man.” His visage, (His features) mostly unrecognizable to others of who once saw Him beforehand (Isa 52:14). It truly brings out the wickedness of man. But the truth of it all, it was all of our sins that placed Him there - everyone on earth. He bore the sins of the world.
God sent His only begotten Son in our place (John 3:16) (Isa 53:10). God could have allowed Christ to die in prison. But would the world remember that? He could have died in the hands of the guards, especially by driving a wreath of long thorns down on His skull. But would the world remember that? (A normal man would not have withstood the torture). He could have been hung within Pilate’s compound. But would the world remember that? Again, our Lord Jesus could have laid in the dungeon and bled to death. But would the world remember that? No. The 'Cross' was a horrific event for all of the world to know about.
Just the fact that the event of Christ’s crucifixion was so great and created such a cruel, grotesque and publicized scene, meant it would be heard around the world – even over 2000 years later. And the fact that He rose again from the grave, an even bigger event, has caused such a tremendous division between people, and nations. Jesus said in Luke 12:51, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.” He had already started purifying when He walked the earth. And it is being divided exponentially even today. Few have chosen the narrow path mentioned in the Bible (Matt 7:14). Many, a great majority, choose the wide path or the broad way (Matt 7:13-14). Why? They choose to ignore the cross where Jesus Christ heroically paid our sin debt.
The crude hand-hewn cross (or tree) is ignored just as our Savior is today. The ‘cross’ in today’s time has become a thing of beauty in the form of fancy pearl, gold, and diamond jewelry. It has become a fashion design, even worn by some entertainers who, along with their audiences, are blaspheming His holy name while wearing their dandy jewelry along with their fancy cross artifacts. It is not that I don’t appreciate the talented and beautiful work of craftsmen and designers of jewelry, but we all need to know about the reality of the cross. We need to know about the ONE who voluntarily gave His life on 'the cross' (or tree) (1 Peter 2:24) for our sins.
No man in history was ever tortured and degraded like Jesus. The cross once again shows the depravity of man. And that is why we need a Savior. The mention of the cross is needed to complete the gospel message so many will understand that it was more than just a drop of blood that was shed on the cross. The blood of an animal sacrifice from the Old Testament in no way can compare to the blood of the “perfect sacrifice” of a sinless Savior - the GOD man. All of His blood was drained from His body, and He did that for us if we receive Him as our Lord and Savior (John 1:12-13). But more importantly, Christ rose from the dead and reigns today (Luke 16:31).
HE IS ALIVE AND IS COMING BACK FOR HIS OWN (1 Thess 4:16-18).
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried,
and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Cor 15:3b-4
So as the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish, for those of us that are saved it is a steady reminder of our Lord Jesus’ love for us and a debt we can never repay. And all He expects is our love, obedience and servitude.
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" (2 Cor 9:15)
What a God! What a Savior!
Call upon Him today with a repentant heart and He will receive you.
Please do not ignore the cross.
Please do not ignore a holy God. He’s waiting. (Rev 3:20)
*Ref from: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/terasaka_david/misc/crucify.cfm
Thanks for "Taking 5" - Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
iamnotashamed.com - God bless and bless God
