The Cross is crucial.
Even our word “crucial” (for something that is most critical, of absolute importance, even decisive in the success or failure of something) is based on the same word from which we get the word “Cross.”
The Cross is the nexus of all History. It is the central point in G_d’s plan and work as it has to do with humanity. Martin Luther called it “the source and sum of Christian theology.”
Let’s make it simple: Without The Cross, we’d be screwed. Die, go straight to hell, do not pass go… do not receive anything except the proper wages for our sin.
We get it, but we miss it sometimes for its simplicity. Someone had to die for our sins. The most reasonable candidate is US! But G_d had a better plan. He chose to use the evil of the cross to bring about a greater good than is imaginable. This good is manifold, multifaceted, and infinite.
It is more, but it is at least three critical things. The cross brought about a three-way death. And remember, the problem of evil is always answered by the fact that, in G_d’s economy, a greater good results (yes, this is a matter of faith, beloved. But it is true nonetheless).
Death #1:
G_d Himself died. He, the only one able to bear the weight and penalty of all sin, for all man, for all time, died to do just that for us. Jesus Christ paid the just cost for all human evil by dying in our place on the cross. The greater good? He was the only one who could actually overcome death after truly experiencing it. He kicked death’s head into the dirt, and created a pathway for all humanity to move into His Life.
Death #2:
Death itself died. Through the Cross, death no longer has it’s choke hold on humanity. There is no real downside to this. It’s kind of a spiritual double-negative. Oh, surely, many will reject this message and die separate from G_d. But this is no longer the only option. Jesus’ death obviated human death. He made it irrelevant. The Bible now rightly calls human death a mere “falling asleep” before entering eternity alive.
Death #3:
We ourselves died. “When Christ bids us come and follow, He bids us come and die,” said Bonhoeffer. The book of Romans and Galatians explore this concept in depth, but the bottom line is clear: our old human existence was somehow actually and really crucified with Christ. G_d is fully unbound to time and brought us with Him to that nexus event. Those of us who have trusted Christ for salvation have, in fact, gone to our death. But G_d! Oh, beloved there is always a greater good to every evil. YES, we were crucified on that cross, BUT it was the death of the old, yucky body of sin that we’ve been trying to escape our whole lives anyway. AND, when, by faith, we trust in Christ’s work on the Cross for our salvation, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 says we actually become new beings. Something wholly other than what we were before in Christ.
In light of the three deaths above, what does that make a believer? Well, lot’s of things (see Identity in Christ). But, there is an ever-growing picture that becomes clear in a fully-committed, absolutely-surrendered believer:
- We become mighty, devastatingly beautiful warrior-princes and warrior-princesses in the Kingdom of G_d. Eventually, ever under His authority, we will indeed rule creation with Him forever. (Rev. 20-22)
- In Him, we are, we yield, and we wield inconceivable cosmic power for His purpose and Glory.
- Availing intercessory prayer
- Communication of The Gospel
- Sacrificial Love. That Love that made the worlds; consuming fire; a power of terrible aspect. Love.
- We are channels of the very Presence of The Great I AM. We have the privilege of bearing His Spirit’s fruit and pouring it out on humanity. We bear fruit that trumps any body of law within the world system:
- Ultra Love
- Matchless Joy
- Unfathomable Peace
- Waitful Patience
- Mind-Blowing Kindness
- Over-Arching Goodness
- Ever Faithfulness
- Mystifying Gentleness
- Jaw-Dropping Self-Control
Said more simply: We become fully human. We become that being which we were ever-intended to be. Stunning creations imbued with and shining forth… Him.
Are we catching the point? This is really good news.
The Cross definitively answered three of the greatest problems: Sin, Death, and Fallen Humanity.
Crucial.
