The cross of Jesus Christ

The Cross of Jesus Christ

He took our place so that we could be reconciled to God

Our Separation from God

God loves us and desires that we know His peace and receive eternal life through Jesus Christ.

God created human beings in His image and gave us the ability to know, love, and obey Him. He did not create us as machines. He gave us a will and the ability to choose.

Our problem is that we have chosen to disobey God and go our own way. Sin has separated us from Him, and every person shares in that condition.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

God's Plan of Salvation

God did not leave us without hope. Because of His great love, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to reconcile sinful people to Himself.

Jesus lived among the people, taught the truth of God's kingdom, showed compassion to the suffering, and revealed the character of the Father. Though He was without sin, He was rejected, falsely accused, beaten, and crucified.

For six hours Jesus hung on the cross. He suffered and died, not for His own sins, but for ours. He paid the price we could never pay.

"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

He Took Our Place

The sufferings of Jesus reveal both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God's love. He was betrayed, abandoned, mocked, wounded, and nailed to the cross.

He bore the judgment our sins deserved. The message of the cross can be stated in four simple words:

He took our place.

Jesus stepped willingly into the place of sinners so that all who trust Him could be forgiven and reconciled to God.

He Showed the Greatness of His Love

Isaiah foretold that the Servant of the Lord would be wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The punishment necessary for our peace would fall upon Him.

"The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

Jesus understands suffering, grief, loneliness, pain, and sorrow. At the cross, He entered fully into human suffering while accomplishing our redemption.

He did not die as a helpless victim. He willingly gave Himself for us. The sinless Son of God bore the sentence we deserved.

He Died for Us

At the cross, Jesus bore our guilt and shame. He died in our place so that we might be forgiven, made right with God, and receive eternal life.

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3

He Was Raised from the Dead

On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead. He appeared to many witnesses and later ascended into heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.

Others in Scripture were restored to mortal life, but Jesus rose in victory over death, never to die again. His resurrection declares that He is the Son of God and that His sacrifice was accepted.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." John 11:25
The risen Jesus Christ

He Made a Way to Eternal Life

Because of God's love, Jesus Christ came to reconcile sinful people to God. Salvation is not earned by good works. It is received by grace through faith in Christ.

God offers forgiveness, peace, and eternal life to everyone who will repent and believe the gospel.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

What Will You Do with Jesus Christ?

The cross shows how serious our sin is, how great God's love is, and how complete Christ's sacrifice is.

Jesus died for you. Jesus rose again. Jesus offers you forgiveness and eternal life.