The Cross

Isaiah 53

1 Peter 2:22-25 NLT
He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
Once you were like sheep
who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.

Christ Our Example.-Reading for Sabbath, December 30.-

The General Conference Bulletin, October 1, 1899, paragraph 22

Justice and Mercy stood apart, in opposition to each other, separated by a wide gulf. The Lord our Redeemer clothed his divinity with humanity, and wrought out in behalf of man a character that was without spot or blemish. He planted his cross midway between heaven and earth, and made it the object of attraction which reached both ways, drawing both Justice and Mercy across the gulf. Justice moved from its exalted throne, and with all the armies of heaven approached the cross. There it saw One equal with God bearing the penalty for all injustice and sin. With perfect satisfaction Justice bowed in reverence at the cross, saying, It is enough.

The Love that is of God.

The Signs of the Times , December 25, 1901, paragraph 15

The gulf made by sin has been bridged. All may come boldly to the throne of grace, seeking help in every time of need. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He took the place of the sinner, that He might present the repentant sinner to the Father, saying, “Lay his guilt on Me. I have espoused his cause.” Holding out His hands, bearing the marks of the crucifixion, the Saviour says, “I have graven that sinner on the palms of My hands. No longer look upon him as guilty. Let him stand before Thee guiltless; for I have borne his iniquity.” At the cross, justice and mercy met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. God bowed His head in recognition of the completeness of the offering made for sin, and said, “It is enough.”

Aren’t you glad for our justice system? That someone somewhere is willing to go to bat for those who are treated unfairly. The good news is God is just. He wants to and will go to bat for us; he will deal (and is dealing with) all the injustices in the world. Aren’t you glad that God didn’t choose the easy way out… to just overlook our sin and leave us be. Or even wipe us all out and start again.

God chose the most painful way… the right way… the only way by which he could save all those he could whilst still dealing with sin (injustice) for good. He gave his life so that we might live – and live abundantly (a life without sin, sorrow or stress).

1 John 4:9-10, RSV
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live… In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation (to make amends) for our sins.

Galatians 6:14 TLB
As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in the world died long ago, and the world’s interest in me is also long dead.

The cross…
Draws us to God
Delivers us from sin
Drives us to our knees

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