God foretold the crucifixion of Jesus Christ upon a cross in the Old Testament hundreds of years before it happened. The cross was, to the Romans and the Jews of the day, a symbol of death. However, it was this very instrument of torture and death upon which God would sacrifice His only begotten Son for the sins of the world.
The Bible says, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6).
The New Testament, speaking of Jesus Christ, states, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree... " (1 Peter 2:24). "For he (The Father) hath made him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
You see, the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place to die for our sins! We, who deserve to die (Ezekiel 18:4) and spend eternity in hell (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Revelations 20:14), can receive forgiveness of sin and salvation afforded by the payment of Jesus Christ on the cross and receiving Him alone as Saviour by faith.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not that of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).
The Bible assures us that Jesus Christ arose from the grave in victory over sin! "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died fr our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4).
He took the symbol of torture and death and turned it into a symbol of hope and eternal life! The Lord no longer hangs on a cruel cross, sleeps in a borrowed tomb, and occupies a Heavenly throne (Colossians 3:1) from which He offers eternal life to all who will come to Him!
If the cross should speak, it would proclaim the gospel message of salvation, full and free, by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
The cross speaks
God foretold the crucifixion of Jesus Christ upon a cross in the Old Testament hundreds of years before it happened. The cross was, to the Romans and the Jews of the day, a symbol of death. However, it was this very instrument of torture and death upon which God would sacrifice His only begotten Son for the sins of the world.
The Bible says, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6).
The New Testament, speaking of Jesus Christ, states, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree... " (1 Peter 2:24). "For he (The Father) hath made him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
You see, the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place to die for our sins! We, who deserve to die (Ezekiel 18:4) and spend eternity in hell (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Revelations 20:14), can receive forgiveness of sin and salvation afforded by the payment of Jesus Christ on the cross and receiving Him alone as Saviour by faith.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not that of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).
The Bible assures us that Jesus Christ arose from the grave in victory over sin! "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died fr our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4).
He took the symbol of torture and death and turned it into a symbol of hope and eternal life! The Lord no longer hangs on a cruel cross, sleeps in a borrowed tomb, and occupies a Heavenly throne (Colossians 3:1) from which He offers eternal life to all who will come to Him!
If the cross should speak, it would proclaim the gospel message of salvation, full and free, by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!