CENTRAL THOUGHT
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ purchased total salvation for the believer.
TEXT: Isaiah 53:1-10
INTRODUCTION:
The cross is symbolic of suffering, shame, and death, yet it is the wisdom of God for our total salvation (1 Cor. 1:18-21). The sin of our progenitor’s (Adam and Eve) permeated the entire human race. Being a just God, this sin must be punished for “The wages of sin is death …. Rom. 6:23a). Glory to God! Jesus voluntarily bore the punishment of our sins, took our guilt upon Himself and thereby reconciled us to God through His vicarious death on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24).
This unparallel act of love exemplified by Christ’s death on the cross has graciously bestowed on the believer a lot of benefits. The knowledge of these benefits and how we can access them form the focus of this study.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, believers should be able to:
1.) Explain the meaning of the cross.
2.) Identify the usefulness of the Blood that Christ shed on the cross.
3.) Explain other benefits of the Cross of Christ; and
4.) Examine the seven (7) last statements of Jesus Christ on the cross.
BIBLE TRUTH
QUESTION 1.) WHAT DOES THE CROSS MEAN? DEUT. 21:22-23, GAL. 3:13, 1 COR. 1:18-25, EPH. 1:19, HEB. 12:2
For the Jews who continued to breach the Mosaic Law inadvertently, the death of Jesus on the Cross was a total liberation (redemption) from the curse consequence upon their ability to uphold the tenets of the law. However, for the unregenerate Jew, Christ’s Cross is a “stumbling block” that is, they cannot decipher its relevance to man’s salvation. To them, salvation is hinged on no other but strict adherence to the Law of Moses.
To the Greek society who were adept on moral reasoning and deep philosophical orientation, the Cross of Christ was absolute “foolishness”, for how could one man’s punitive death on the Cross obliterate man’s sin question? But thanks be to God that those who are called both Jews, Greeks (the Gentiles) Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God unto salvation (1 Cor. 1:24).
QUESTION 2A) IDENTIFY THE USEFULNESS OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS.
JOHN 19:31-37.
Right from the Old Testament, blood played a critical role in man’s attempt to please God. Both Jewish worshippers as well as the temple and other accessories of worship were made holy on regular basis by the blood of animals. Jesus Christ, however, shed His blood on the Cross once and for all, for the entire mankind. The shedding of His blood, amongst others, has purchased for the believer forgiveness of sin, for “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin” Heb. 9:22. Thus, His immaculate blood cleanses our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God acceptably (Heb. 9:14).
The blood of Jesus Christ gives the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:15c). Hence, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Also, the blood of Jesus grants the believer unhindered access to the throne of God without any human intermediary. We are therefore direct sons of our heavenly Father. Finally, the believer is assured of eternal salvation when Christ shall appear in glory (Heb. 9:28).
QUESTION 2B) ARE THERE OTHER BENEFITS OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST?
ISAIAH 53:5, ROMANS 5:1-2, JOHN 12:30-33, EPH. 2:12-17, COL. 1:13-14.
Apart from the above benefits of the blood of Christ, the believer stands to enjoy many other privileges. Physically, the believer is made strong (healed) by His death on the Cross (1 Pet. 2:24c). Emotionally, he enjoys the peace of God that transcends the understanding of man (Isaiah 53:5b, Eph. 2:12-15).
Before Christ died on the cross of calvary man was under the controlling influence of the power of darkness (Col. 1:13). Christ death on the cross was a thorough defeat of the devil. By His death, He restored to man the authority ceded to the devil through disobedience.
QUESTION 3) HOW CAN WE APPROPRIATE THESE BENEFITS TO OUR LIVES?
JN. 3:3, 7, ROM. 6:6-11, 10:10-11, 1 PET. 1:23
The benefits of the Cross of Christ are eternal and irreversible, but the individual must take definite steps to make them good in his or her life. For instance, the unbeliever must repent from his sins, confess them, and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour (John 3:3). Thereafter, he should cease to make a practice of sin, the rest of his life (Rom. 6:11).
The believer should live a life of faith in God (Mk. 11:22) and trust Him to meet all his needs. He should always pray believing in Him for his daily needs. Above all, he should have a firm knowledge of the word of God which contains all the blessings of the cross.
QUESTION 4) EXAMINE THE SEVEN LAST STATEMENTS OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS.
Jesus hung on the Cross for six hours, not saying much, but the few words He uttered showed that He had just one thing in mind-our redemption.
The excruciating pain He felt, coupled with the humiliation of the crucifixion and the separation from the Father, were not enough to erode His concerns for us.
His utterings were not smeared with bitterness and regret. It is amazing that His first utterance on the Cross was a plea for the Father to forgive our sins, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” Lk 23:34.
He granted pardon to a criminal who believed in Him “Today shall thou be with me in paradise” Lk. 23:43. Those words show that forgiveness is available to anyone who believes in Jesus and appropriates His provision for salvation no matter the gravity of his sin.
Beyond our spiritual well-being, Jesus also cares about our physical and emotional condition. Watching His mother weeping and groaning for Him, He said to her “Woman, behold thy son” and to the disciples standing beside her “behold thy mother”. Thus, He made sure His mother would not suffer. In the same way, Jesus has provided us with all the good things of life (Rom. 8:32).
Jesus lamented His abandonment by His Father “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matt. 27:46. What a horrific experience. Jesus endured this separation from His loving Father so that He can reconcile us with Him. This emotional trauma and the physical pain He bore were coupled with a terrible thirst for eternal life could be quenched (Jn. 19:28). See also Luke 23:46. Finally, He declared, “It is finished” Jn. 19:30. He accomplished the works of redemption and “destroyed the works of the devil”, 1 Jn. 3:8. Now we have hope in this life and eternity.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
“On yonder hill of Calvary where Jesus bled and died” for a world of lost sinners. Jesus as a ransom paid the price and saved all those that believe in this finished work of grace. Jesus was subjected to this gruesome punishment for doing no wrong, because of our redemption. Are you in the number? The sinners today are potential believers tomorrow. They need to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the full benefits of His blood on the Cross. We are still living on earth after our salvation in order to make Him known to the dying world. May none of us return to Jesus empty-handed without a single soul to greet Him.
MEMORY VERSE
1 Cor. 1:18
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MONDAY: THE MEANING OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST TO THE BELIEVER. 1 Cor. 1:18-25
TUESDAY: THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRIST’S BLOOD FOR MANKIND. Jn 19: 31-34
WEDNESDAY: THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS AND DIVINE HEALING. 1 Pet. 2:24
THURSDAY: CHRIST’S DEATH AND SATAN’S DEFEAT. Col. 1:13
FRIDAY: CHRIST’S DEATH AND MAN’S AUTHORITY RESTORED. Lk 23:44-47
SATURDAY: CHRIST AGONIZING MOMENTS ON THE CROSS. Matt. 27:46, Lk. 18:26-27, 23:34.