TOPIC: THE CROSS – GOD’S INSTRUMENT OF REDEMPTION
Scripture: 1 Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Beloved, I welcome you to another Moment of Daily Encounter. The story of redemption can not be told without the cross! Today we seek to explore the cross which is God’s instruments in achieving redemption.
The story of redemption begins with the fact that God prepare for it right from the foundation of the world! So as God was founding the earth, He knew that man will sin, so He prepared ahead a lamb (Rev.13:8). The Bible made us to understand that Jesus is the lamb:
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
So Jesus is the lamb of God! He was fully aware of this preparation when He said:
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Beloved, redemption was prepared for! And Jesus knows that His blood is the ultimate price that will be shed for our redemption.
For the Bible speaking:
1 Peter 1: 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Beloved the preparation that was made before the foundation of the world (1Pet.1:20) was only made manifest to our world just 2004 years ago
Also we could see the instrument of achieving redemption in (1Pet.1:18-19) as the blood of Jesus! This is the ultimate price that must be paid. The blood of Jesus is the penalty that was offered for redemption of mankind. It is not the blood of animals but the sinless blood of Jesus.
However, for this blood to be shed, it must be on the cross! Jesus’ blood cannot be shed any other place to satisfy the price of redemption except the cross. This is what now made the cross the instrument of redemption! Infact, if Jesus had died elsewhere except the cross it would not have been an acceptable sacrifice. It is the shedding of Jesus blood on the cross that made it acceptable sacrifice and it turn the cross to become center of attraction.
A brief description of the cross:
The cross upon which Jesus was crucified is central to the Christian faith! Hence without the cross we can not be talking of Christianity. It is on the cross humanity meet with divinity!
The cross reveals to us the character of God: His love for lost sinners and His perfect justice meet at the cross. If we want to grow in our love for God, which is the first and greatest commandment, then we must be growing to understand and appreciate the cross, which shows us His great love. If we want to grow in godliness, we must grow in understanding the significance of the cross, which confronts the most prevalent and insidious of all sins, namely, pride.
The cross is the place where all the wounds of sins are healed. If you suffer from emotional problems–guilt, anxiety, depression, anger, or whatever–there is healing in the cross of Christ.
The following are things to note about the cross:
1.The cross is the center of the story of the Scripture(1 Cor. 2:2). Wisdom was found not beyond the cross, not above the cross, not below the cross, but in the cross.
2.The cross redefines power in the kingdom. Jesus redefines power by displaying strength through weakness. He does not exploit his power like Adam, but empties himself (Phil. 2:5–6). He becomes a servant of all, and thereby is exalted as ruler of all (Phil. 2:9–11).
3. The cross inaugurates the new covenant.(Matt.26:26-30). At the Last Supper Jesus interprets his death as bringing in the new covenant. It is by his body and blood that his new community is formed.
Matthew 26: 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
4. The cross conquers sin and death. The cross cancels the record of debt that stood against humanity (Col 2:14). On the cross Jesus bore our sins in his body, so that we might die to sin and death (1 Pet. 2:24).
5.The cross vanquishes the devil (Eph. 2:20–21). The cross is what expired the devil, disarm him completely.
6. The cross is foolishness to the world.(1Cor.1:23)
7. The cross brings peace, reconciliation, and unity. At the cross the whole world has the opportunity to be reconciled to the Father.(Colo.1:20, Eph.2:14).
8.The cross is the marching order for Christians(Matt.16:24)
Beloved, the cross is not only where our sin is paid for, where the devil is conquered, but the shape of Christianity. The true essence of Christianity comes alive as you understand the power of the cross.
Remember this: Heaven is real and hell is real! Jesus has been crucified for our sin, give Him your heart today.
Prayer points;
– Father thank you for your word to me today.
– Lord help me to appreciate the power of the cross as it applies to my every day life in Jesus name.
Prophetic Declaration :
– I prophesy upon your life, in this month of March your life is excuse from calamity and disaster in the name of Jesus.
– You will sing for joy in the name of Jesus.
Assignment: Open your heart to understand the essence of the cross of Jesus.
From your brother Alex
God bless you.