ACTS 8:26–40 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him (Acts 8:35). To understand the Gospel, you must understand the meaning of the Cross. This is evident from Acts 8:26–40 where Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch. This rather important official was reading from the prophet Isaiah. At the same … Continue reading “MEANING OF THE CROSS”
CRIME, DEBT, AND ENMITY
ROMANS 5:6–10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Rom. 5:10). Today we will consider three ways in which we have violated the justice of God. First, sin is a crime against God. … Continue reading “CRIME, DEBT, AND ENMITY”
THE JUSTICE OF GOD
GENESIS 18:16–33 “Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” (Gen. 18:25). Anselm of Canterbury left us the … Continue reading “THE JUSTICE OF GOD”
SYMBOL OF THE CROSS
1 CORINTHIANS 2:1–5 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2). The cross has become the most important symbol of hope on this planet. It is a symbol usually taken from Jesus’ death, from His humiliation and passion. Christ came as a lamb to lay … Continue reading “SYMBOL OF THE CROSS”
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST
JOHN 19:38–42 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury (John 19:40). The burial of Jesus was a necessary part of His humiliation. By it, He sanctified the grave for His followers. It would no longer be … Continue reading “THE BURIAL OF CHRIST”
AN ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE
JOHN 19:31–37 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out (John 19:33–34) After having recorded in verse 30 that Jesus “gave up His spirit,” John spends … Continue reading “AN ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE”
SUFFICIENCY OF THE CROSS
JOHN 19:28–30 “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). The perfection of our salvation is contained in Jesus Christ alone. He made this evident during His final moments on the cross. His work of meeting the demands of … Continue reading “SUFFICIENCY OF THE CROSS”
CARING FOR OUR PARENTS
JOHN 19:25–27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home (John 19:27). None of the other gospels records Jesus’ final directives concerning His mother. This is not surprising because they held special significance for John. Logically, he would be the one to … Continue reading “CARING FOR OUR PARENTS”
HUMILIATION OF A KING
JOHN 19:17–24 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written” (John 19:21–22). We have three parts of the crucifixion account given to us in this passage: … Continue reading “HUMILIATION OF A KING”
CHOOSING YOUR KING
JOHN 19:12–16 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” (John 19:15) “We have no king but Caesar!” What ominous and portentous words! The King of kings, the Messiah, the Promised One, … Continue reading “CHOOSING YOUR KING”