The Cross of Christ - Good Friday
The Cross of Christ
The need for the cross -
Romans 5:12 (NIV) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.
The cross was needed because of the presence of sin.
Psalm 51:5 (NASB 95) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Romans 7:18 (NIV) For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death…
The mystery of the cross -
Hebrews 9:15, 22 (NIV) 15For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant…he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed… 22..the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Leviticus 17:11 (ESV) For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Galatians 3:13 (HCSB) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.
Deuteronomy 21:23 (HCSB) …you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Christ satisfied death by giving up life; and having become a curse, he lifted the curse off me.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (TLB) For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!
Philemon 1:17-18 (NKJV) If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
1 John 2:1-2 (NASB95) My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
The motivation of the cross -
It was his joyful determination to satisfy my deepest needs, meeting them at the cross.
Romans 5:9 (NIV) Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
Psalm 75:8 (CEV) You hold in your hand a cup filled with wine, strong and foaming. You will pour out some for every sinful person on this earth, and they will have to drink until it is gone.
The power of the cross -
Romans 8:33-34 (GNT) Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! Who, then, will condemn them?
No one can bring a charge against me.
Hebrews 10:14 (NIV) For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.