The Cross

AD 30

Books of Matthew, Mark & Luke

~ Before the death of Jesus on the cross, we were separated from God (Is. 59:2), under sin’s power (Rom. 3:10), children of wrath (Eph. 2:3), and ruled by guilt and death (Rom. 6:23).

God came Himself. God became the sinless Lamb and shed His own blood for His people.

Jesus was betrayed, dragged before corrupt courts, beaten, and mocked. The Son of God was spat upon, scourged, and struck. They pressed a crown of thorns into His head.

Then, staggering under the weight of the cross, He was led to Golgotha. With nails piercing His flesh, He was lifted up between heaven and earth—rejected by men yet offering Himself for the world.

Darkness covered the land as He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mat. 27:46)

Jesus bore the curse we deserved so we might receive forgiveness and life.

With His final breath, He declared, “It is finished" (John 19:30), and the curtain of the Temple tore in two—the barrier between God and man forever removed (Matt. 27:51).

At the cross, love triumphed, justice was satisfied, and hope was secured—this was always the plan.

“After the death of Jesus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea wrapped Jesus’ body and laid it in an unused tomb. A great stone was rolled over the entrance, and the Roman seal was set in place. The disciples hid in fear while the women waited for the Sabbath to end so they could anoint His body. The religious leaders rejoiced. Heaven and earth waited…

Significance

• We nailed Jesus to the cross with our sin.
• He thought of each of us as He suffered.
• We all died with Him there.
• His shed blood is our forgiveness.
• His wounds are our healing.
• The wrath we deserved was satisfied in Him.

We are all offered the free gift of salvation at so great a cost. What is our response?