“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
INTRODUCTION
We bring you this week, the concluding part of last week’s article on “Did Jesus Die in Vain?” Please enjoy and share with others!
THE PLEA JESUS MAKES
Christ was the embodiment of the sins of the world while hanging on Calvary’s cross. Stripped of every form of dignity, He was condemned to the most horrifying and shameful death. If the Jews regarded leprosy as punishment from God, both they and the Romans regarded death on the cross as the lot of the most despised criminals on earth. Yet that was the only price that could ransom man from the deathtrap of sin.
Many today think Christ a dead and buried ordinary man who once lived on earth. For that, they think He died in vain. But the death and burial of Jesus is only part of the story. He is risen and alive. Did He die in vain? Was His death and sacrifice really worth it?
If you are one of those who wonder about these thoughts, know for a fact that Jesus died knowingly. His death was a gift from God to us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16. It is a gift that in His characteristic fashion, He does not force anyone to take, though it is a gift that means the difference between life and death for us. Apostle Paul reminds us that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23.
- Jesus died, rose again and is alive forevermore! The purpose of His death was so that we might be saved, if we believe in Him – Acts 2:21; 16:31. Man’s salvation does not therefore validate Christ’s death, but Christ’s death validates man’s salvation. Though it is “by His wounds we are healed” – Isaiah 53:5, it does not matter whether the whole world receives Him or not. His sacrifice on Calvary remains valid and powerful to save.
Centuries earlier in the wilderness, the Israelites had had to look at the cross as a step towards salvation. Bitten by poisonous serpents, they had to look at the brass snake hung on the cross. Those who obeyed lived. Those who disobeyed, died – Numbers 21.
While Jesus hung on the cross, surrounded by two thieves, one received salvation and the other did not. The two symbolize the two groups of people all men fall into – those who believe that Christ is Saviour and Lord, and those who do not. As valid as Jesus’ death on the cross of Calvary is, many, like the recalcitrant thief on the cross, will still be lost. They will come very close to salvation, but will not recognize the Saviour.
They will witness others like them being saved, but will not take advantage of the opportunity. That such a group of people will be lost will not invalidate the efficacy of Christ’s death and atoning sacrifice. His blood bought us. Redeemed us from the curse of our guilt. Reconciled us to the Father.
Paul noted that “the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians1:18. This is because “the person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14. It is an ordinance that we are asked to constantly ponder as believers. And the sacredness of the sacrifice made for our salvation on the cross of Calvary constrains us to not cheapen this with the revelry of those who do not understand its sacred import.
- Christ died for us to be saved. It was a gift to us that we do not deserve. That when we fail to benefit from His gift will not invalidate the power of His Sacrifice. That any man loses his soul will not mean that Jesus died in vain. It would simply mean that the person scorned God’s gift to His own eternal loss. It’s what Isaac Watts describe in His classic hymn: When I Survey The Wondrous Cross. Millions sing it. Do not do so in vain.
- When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss. And pour contempt on all my pride.
- Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my Christ
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
- See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
- Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
To Ponder: Hans Urs von Balthasar, the Swiss theologian and priest reminds us of why we the Easter message is important. “It is to the Cross that the Christian is challenged to follow his Master: no path of redemption can make a detour around it.” Have you been seeking the crown without the cross?
Remain Blessed!
Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and YFM 107.9 – Sundays 6.30am; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and their Stories.
