Look at the Cross
In Gethsemane they bound Jesus and led Him away (John 18:12–13). The road from the garden ended at a cross. The cross was a Roman instrument of execution, built to shame people and kill them. It is strange that anyone would boast of one. Yet Paul wrote, God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14). Before you can rejoice at the empty tomb, you need to stand here for a while.
This article tells what happened. For the full doctrine of what it accomplished, read The Substitutionary Atonement. And we will follow the Gospels' own restraint. They give few details of the pain. They dwell on who He was, what He said, and what Scripture foretold. Three things run through every hour of this day.
- He was innocent. Pilate said so again and again (Luke 23:4; Luke 23:14; Luke 23:22; John 19:4; John 19:6).
- He was in charge. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself (John 10:18). No one overpowered Him. He went as our Substitute, by His own choice.
- God was at work. He was delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, even as wicked hands did it (Acts 2:23). Men did their worst that day, and God turned it into the best news the world has ever heard.
Roman execution by fastening a condemned person to a wooden cross or stake and leaving him to die in public, slowly and in shame. Our word excruciating comes from the same Latin word for a cross.
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For Deeper Study
- The Cross of ChristAmazon John R. W. StottAn evangelical Anglican classic on why Christ died. The best single book on the meaning of the cross.
- Cries from the CrossAmazon Erwin W. LutzerA short, warm book by the longtime pastor of Moody Church, with a chapter on each of the seven sayings.
- The Cross of JesusAmazon Warren W. WiersbeA Bible teacher and Baptist pastor reflects on how Christ approached the cross and what His words mean for us.
- The Murder of JesusAmazon John MacArthurA dispensational, Calvinistic pastor walks through the Gospel accounts from the upper room to the cross. We differ with him on the extent of the atonement.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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Passion Week
In His last week Jesus entered Jerusalem as its King, cleansed the temple, told of His return, gave His church the Lord's Supper, and surrendered to the Father's will in Gethsemane.
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