Articles
The Cross of Calvary
The Cross of Calvary
But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14)
The birth, life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest story ever told. He towers over human history casting His shadow over all the earth. Who is this Jesus? Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah tells us, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on his shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” Peter tells us He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).
He is the Saviour of the world (Luke 19:10), the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), he is our advocate (1 John 2:1), he is heaven’s wonderful gift of salvation (Acts 4:12). About himself, he tells us that he is the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6).
We are truly blessed to have a record of his life in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. His life and teachings had and still have a tremendous impact on humanity. Luke tells us in Acts 1:1-2 that he began to do and teach until the day He was taken up to heaven. As we walk with Him through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we witness the beautiful life He led, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the dumb, raising the dead and teaching as no man had ever taught before. It is amazing that He would ever be rejected and despised but that is what often happened. On one occasion we even see where many of His disciples withdrew and walked with Him no more (John 6:66). At one point He tells us that He has no place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20).
All too soon we walk with Him into the Garden of Gethsemane and behold His great agony as He prays to the Father. Suddenly, a mob enters the garden led by Judas Iscariot. We watch as the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of man is led away to be tried, convicted and crucified on the cross of Calvary (Luke 22:39-71, Luke 23:1-33). As we behold that wondrous cross, we are made aware of the great love of God and Christ for us. We see not only the depth of human sin but the height of divine love as well (John 3:16, Romans 5:8-10, Colossians 1:12-14, 1 John 3:1-3).
As we survey the cross on which Jesus died, we become aware that the church centers around that cross (Acts 20:28). Not only that but redemption, forgiveness of sins comes through the blood shed by Jesus from that cross (Ephesians 1:7, 2:16). Apart from the cross, baptism has no significance Romans 6:3-6, Acts 22:16). The centerpiece of the Lord’s Supper is the cross on which Jesus died (1 Cor. 11:23-26). That cross marks the separation of the Old Covenant from the New Covenant (Colossians 2:14, Hebrews 8:7-13, Hebrews 9:1-17). Apart from that cross, there is no hope (John 14:1-3, Hebrews 6:19, 1 John 3:1-3, 1 Timothy 1:1, Romans 12:12).
Our faith, hope and love is, yea must be founded on the cross of Calvary. Truly, the way of the cross leads home. There is no other way! To God be glory forever and ever.
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
