"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." - 1 John 2: 2 (NIV) The cross where Jesus was hung is a meeting point between mercy and grace. The mystery behind the cross is wrapped up in the fact that God sacrificed Himself for the sake of fallen man, taking away …
“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
– 1 John 2: 2 (NIV)
The cross where Jesus was hung is a meeting point between mercy and grace. The mystery behind the cross is wrapped up in the fact that God sacrificed Himself for the sake of fallen man, taking away the punishment that man deserves and giving man newness through grace. In many religions we see sacrifices are made to deities but in Christianity we have a God who made Himself a sacrifice and died for our sins on a cross—the altar of the new covenant between God and man.
The cross represents a paradox that characterizes our faith. In Christianity the way to being exalted is through humility, and for one to be a master he must be a servant. The paradoxes that are held in the cross can be expressed through three mysteries.
Firstly, there is the mystery regarding the concept of the tree. In Genesis, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil brought about the fall of man. The tree is also mentioned as a tool for hiding from God. According to Genesis 3:8 “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden”.
This Adam is of course, the first Adam—the first man, or our old nature. The mystery then is that the last Adam being Jesus Christ hung on a tree (the cross) openly without shame and died for our sins (Galatians 3:13). This is telling of a mystery, not only of the redemption of the old man (Adam), but also that when you sin or err, you should not hide it from God, but instead openly confess it to Him asking for mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
What appeared as a disgrace was in reality a victory.
Secondly, there is a mystery of conquest where we lose to win. Jesus hanging on the cross looked weak and defeated. Yet, it was victory in disguise. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 indicates this mystery saying that “had they known they would never have crucified the King of Glory.” And in Colossian 2:15, “having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”. What appeared as a disgrace to Jesus was in reality, a shame to the kingdom of darkness. This is because as He hung on the cross, He took the opportunity to fix and repair every damage that had come through Adam’s sin.
As a Christian you can equally know that no matter the circumstance that stands before you, your victory is sure. Hallelujah!!
Lastly, there is the mystery of the covenant, where the swap happened after Adam and Eve took of the fruit of the forbidden tree. This allowed man to come into a fallen old covenant, but on the cross the death of Jesus unleashed a new covenant. We see in Colossians 2:14 that Jesus took the old evil contract and “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross”, taking the old covenant of death and replacing with the new that has life.
Tomorrow’s devotional explores some ways in which this exchange manifests. But today, know with confidence that when we lean on the finished works of Jesus Christ on the cross, we are fully equipped with all good the Father has for us to live triumphantly.
Song of Worship
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown, Amen 2x
Prayer – Dear Lord, please give us victory over contradictions and grant us conquest through the new covenant. Let the enemy always be confused and confounded by your actions in our life and give us the eternal victory, In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible in 1 Year: Judges 4-6
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