The four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John complement each other in recording the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. We read, “And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left” (Luke 23:33). “The Skull” is also referred to as “Golgotha” or “Calvary.”
In the Roman Empire, death on a cross was the method of punishment for certain criminals. Jesus died on a Roman Cross, not for any crime He had committed, but for the sins of mankind. And this was God’s method of reconciling sinful man to Himself. The Bible says, ‘Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).
Going all the way back to Genesis and God’s creation of man, the holy Scriptures repeatedly state that the punishment for sin is death. God told Adam “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17). The day that Adam disobeyed God, he “died.” That meant “spiritual” death or “separation from God.” Like all human beings, Adam also died physically. Sin separates. God had communion with Adam in the Garden of Eden. But when Adam disobeyed God, that sin disrupted Adam’s fellowship with his Creator.
The apostle Paul writing to Christians at Rome stated,”For the wags of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This verse contrasts death (that is, “spiritual death”) with the “gift of God.” Anyone who does not trust Jesus Christ as their Savior, will definitely receive the “wages of sin,” which is “payment” for their unbelief. In his Life Principles Bible, Dr Charles Stanley appropriately writes, “Our sin has earned us death. Either you pay it and forfeit your life, or Jesus pays it and gives you eternal life (Matt.16:25,26) —you make the choice. All our good works cannot earn us a place in heaven. Our only hope is to receive the free gift that Jesus Christ has purchased for us on the Cross (John 3:16-18). (Life Principles Bible, p. 1347). The free gift of God which is eternal life can be yours right now by placing your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
In order for us to have eternal life, Jesus Christ had to die on the Cross for our sins. There was no other way for sinful man to be reconciled to Holy God. That is why the Cross is foundational to the Christian faith, because Jesus died on that Cross. The Cross means forgiveness. The Cross is a symbol of God’s love. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Cross means man needed a Savior to die for his sins. The Cross is an emblem of Christianity.
In his letter to the Gelation Church, Paul wrote, “Be it far from me to boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). As far as Paul was concerned, on that Cross the world died to him and he to the world. He had no interest in the world’s fleeting pleasures and attractions. The Cross of Jesus Christ becomes the great divide between the Christian and the world. The Cross must constantly be our hope and focus.
Many stories, plays, poems, hymns, songs, and musical selections have been written about the Cross and Jesus’ death thereon. Many sermons have also been preached about the meaning of the Cross. Hymn writer, George Bennard. wrote this beautiful inspirational hymn and tune, titled “The Old Rugged Cross.” One of the best known hymns of all time which should rejoice the hearts of all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
O that old rugged cross so despised by the world,
has a wonderful attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
(George Bennard, 1873-1958)
Again Paul writes, “For the word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Too many people are looking to the wrong source for their salvation. That is why the message of the Cross is foolishness to them. There is only one way to know and come to God. and that is through Jesus Christ who declares of Himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). And He is the one who died on the Cross. Paul said, “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Maybe there are some who would rather listen to preaching that is based on anything except Christ crucified. Only on the Cross can salvation be found when Jesus died.
“Paul, who was “all things to all men so that by all possible means he might save some,” put his foot down, and said, in effect, “whatever others may do, we preach Christ crucified; we dare not, we cannot, and we will not alter the great subject matter of our preaching, Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (C.H. Spurgeon, 8.23.1863). To those of us who are saved, Jesus Christ who was crucified is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24). In the Cross be my glory ever!