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“There they crucified Him” (Luke 23:33). At the heart of the gospel is a cross. Three important events took place at the cross.
Jesus died there. Matthew says that Jesus “Yielded up His spirit” (27:50). Luke says “He breathed His last” (23:46), John said the soldiers who examined the body of Jesus at the cross “Saw He was already dead” (19:33). Mark says Pilate confirmed by asking a centurion if Jesus was already dead so he could release His body to Joseph to be buried and “He was already dead” (15:43-45).
Jesus poured out His blood there. Jesus had earlier said when He instituted the Lord’s Supper in the upper room that His blood would be poured out (Matt.26:28). He gave His life on the cross and poured out His blood of the new covenant.
Jesus poured out His blood there ”for forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28). Peter said that Jesus “Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross” or literally, “He Himself carried our sins in His body up to the wood” (1 Peter 2:24). Paul said that God “Made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf. so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21).
How are we to respond to the cross? Our response to the cross of Christ should be one of faith (Romans 6:8), which includes conviction (Romans 6:11), trust (Romans 6:22) and obedience (Romans 6:17-18). Have you “become obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed” (Romans 6: 17)? “The form (pattern or model) of teaching is dying, being buried, and raised with Christ in baptism” (Romans 6:3-4).
The cross of Christ, His burial and resurrection from the grave is the most important event of history! He did it all for you! What are you doing for Him?
Bob Harrison
Waurika church of Christ
Waurika, OK