At the Cross
Updated: Apr 17, 2023
If I were to conduct a survey asking people what the greatest most impactful event ever recorded in human history was, the responses would range anywhere between WW1 to last year’s Super Bowl performance. There have been many events that have changed the course of history with the most recent one being the COVID-19 pandemic. Of all these events, there is one event that stands out and as believers this should be so clear to us. And if it is not yet, no worries after reading this I am sure you will come to the realization that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the one event that has impacted human history the most.
Death in almost every situation is often associated with negative emotions like sadness, pain amongst others but not this one. Have you ever wondered why believers remember the day of Christ’s crucifixion as “Good Friday”? Well imagine having a debt you could no longer pay off not because you were not trying; your payment method was just no longer good enough and the debt just kept accumulating. That was our story until Jesus Christ’s death PAID our debt. As believers, we were in debt because we were born sinful (Psalm 5:15) and we needed to rid ourselves off this sinful nature (Romans 6:23). Sin had already entered the world through Adam (Romans 5:21). The payment method was a sacrifice of bulls and goats performed by a high priest once a year. Although this worked for a while it just was not enough to pay for our sins (Hebrews 10:4). This left us hopeless and on the path of destruction, but God stepped in and out of His love for us, He gave us a lifeline by sending His only son to clear this debt of sin that kept us bound (John 3:16). The events on the cross that day, not only freed us from our past but also gave us hope for the future.
Good Friday to the world, marks the end of Jesus’ life here on earth but for you and I, it marks the beginning of our life in Christ. Before Christ, our feet were chained to sin and our freedom was compromised. We could not live freely as children of God because we were sin conscious but Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross pardoned us and changed the trajectory of our lives. It set us completely free without shame or guilt. Through this event, God took us form the path of destruction and darkness and placed us on the path of light and righteousness. This is echoed in II Corinthians 5:21 where we are told:
“For He made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
To an extent, Good Friday is our Independence Day. It marks our liberation from sin, guilt, and death (spiritual) and ushers us into love, life (eternal) and acceptance because in Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Another unusual aspect of this death is that instead of pain it brought us gain. Christ’s death on the cross made way for us to experience His GRACE. This unmerited favor that we benefit from today is all because Christ was willing to take on our sins even when the world knew He was blameless. And this gift of grace is the only we can enjoy the benefits of SALVATION if we believe (Ephesians 2:8).
Today, saving a life is described as a heroic act and can earn a person high respect and honor. So, if saving one life makes someone a hero, then what about the ONE who saved my life, your life, and the lives of all people even the unborn. And we know this because it is written in Hebrews 10:14:
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
He perfected for ALL TIME meaning it does not matter if it was the past, present or the future, because that single offering on the cross gave us all coverage. And for those who might be wondering what happened to Jesus after He died, I can assure you that He is very much ALIVE and currently seated at the right hand of the Father constantly interceding for you and me (Romans 8:34). So, the next time you are asked what the greatest most impactful event in human history is, always remember what happened at the CROSS and understand that it was not the nails that held Him bound; It was His LOVE for you and me.
