The Daily Nugget- What The Cross Means
Hi All
On this Good Friday morning it is fitting that our message today is based around the cross and its meaning, Crucifixion was among the most horrific forms of death known in the ancient world. It was practiced by the Egyptians and others for a long time before the Romans used it. One of the things Jesus said to His disciples was "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me”(Luke 9:23-24)as He knew that the Twelve would understand the reference. What they wouldn't understand was the magnitude of what Jesus was saying,they would only fully understand this when they witnessed Jesus taking up His own cross on Golgotha. When we think of the severity of the cross it leads us to wonder why Good Friday is so called….what could be good about Jesus suffering such a horrendous death? Good Friday is called "good" not because the events of Jesus' crucifixion were pleasant, but because Christians view it as a day of great religious significance.The term "good" is used in an older sense, meaning "holy" or "pious". Christians believe that Jesus' death on the cross was a sacrifice of love that atoned for the sins of humanity, offering salvation and a path to redemption. Thank You Lord !
Be Blessed And Encouraged
What The Cross Means
17 They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. 18 There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, "JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS." 20 Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews'; but that He said, 'I am King of the Jews.'" 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."
(John 19:17-22)
The cross was a tool used by the Roman government to execute criminals. Before Jesus’ resurrection, it was a symbol of damnation and shame. But the moment Jesus rose from His grave, God transformed it into a symbol of hope. Today when we consider the cross, we think about ... Jesus’ perfect life :- Our Saviour left heaven to dwell on earth and become one of us. While here, He accomplished the work His Father had given Him,and He did so without sinning (John 5:19). Because of His perfect life, Jesus was qualified to be our substitute and bear God’s judgement for our sins.
Crucifixion:- Jesus went willingly to the cross in order to reconcile us to God. He suffered a painful death, and through His sacrifice, our sin debt has been paid. God’s justice was completely satisfied that day. No further action is required.
Resurrection:- Three days after Jesus was buried, God raised Him from the dead, and the way to heaven was opened for all who trust in the Son. Our Savior conquered death and made it possible for us to dwell with Him forever.
Jesus came to earth, lived perfectly, died, and rose again to give us access to God and a home with Him forever.
The next time we see a cross, let it remind us of Jesus’ great love—and how much He wants to have a relationship with us.