The Message of Christ's Cross (The Message of The Cross)

As Christians, of course the word “cross” is not something new to us. We know that Jesus died on the cross to redeem our sins. And that is also one of the reasons why we want to live following Jesus. But beyond that, have you ever thought more deeply about the meaning and message of the cross in your life? 

I once read and had my quiet time with the book “30 Hari di bawah Kaki Salib.” Studying it helped me to value the Lord’s sacrifice more deeply. There are many messages and values that I can take for my spiritual growth . 

What message does God want to convey through His sacrifice on the cross? And what can we learn and put into practice from these things?

5S: The Message of Christ’s Cross for Us

1. Saving Love (Love That Saves)

For God so greatly loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. – Yohanes 3:16 

This verse is so popular among Christians. Perhaps we even know this verse by heart. Jesus’ sacrifice reminds us of His saving love for us, even though it did not spare His own life. His death was the price God had to pay so that our sins would be erased and we could receive eternal salvation. 

His love is given to us freely, but it is not cheap. It’s free, but not cheap. We receive it freely, not because it is of little value. There was a great price that had to be paid, namely His blood poured out on the cross. 

The Lord’s saving love (God’s saving love), saves us. If someone were willing to die for us so that we could live, how would we respond to that person? Surely we would not waste our lives and would love that person with all our heart. 

The question is, how do we respond to God’s love? Have we loved God with all our heart? Do we also love others as God has loved us? Do we also have a heart to save others who do not yet know Him?

2. Suffering (Suffering)

When He was insulted, He did not insult in return; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. – 1 Petrus 2:23-24

Christ’s cross reminds us of suffering that the Lord did not deserve to receive. He was silent like a lamb led to the slaughter, not because He had given up, but because He was obedient. Not because He was unable to fight back, but because He chose not to. He suffered not because of any wrong He had done, but because of His love for us and His obedience to the Father. 

If even Jesus suffered, we too will certainly experience much suffering because of following Jesus. What if we are considered strange, insulted, and excluded because we choose to do what is right? 

Are we ready to suffer by denying ourselves, leaving sin, and changing from our old way of life, which may already feel comfortable to us? Are we willing to pay this price of suffering and keep following Jesus?

3. Self-Denial (Self-Denial)

Then Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples and said to them: "Whoever wants to follow Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. – Markus 8:34 

What does it mean to deny yourself? To deny yourself is to choose to do God’s will rather than your own desires that are contrary to God’s will. For example, you hold yourself back from watching or using social media in order to have your quiet time. Is being active on social media a sin? Of course not. But when you choose to set aside your own desire in order to do God’s will, at that moment you are denying yourself. 

The Lord Jesus has already carried out the greatest self-denial. It says in Matthew 26:39, “...My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."  

Jesus denied Himself by doing the will of the Father above His own will. How is our life today? Are we still denying ourselves in our lives? Whose will do we follow more often? God’s will, the devil’s, or our own? Are you willing to deny yourself as Jesus did, by making the will of God above everything else?

4. Sacrifice (Sacrifice)

Therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your true worship. – Roma 12:1 

Speaking of sacrifice, Jesus has made countless sacrifices for us. He is God, King, the owner of the universe, yet He was born into the world and died on the cross to redeem our sins. He sacrificed Himself for us while we were still His enemies (Romans 5:10). If we are good, perhaps someone might be willing to die for us. But if we are evil, and Someone is willing to die for us, how great is the Lord’s sacrifice?

As people who have been saved, God wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, by living holy and upright lives before God. That is the worship that God desires. Are we also willing to sacrifice for God? Are we willing to sacrifice for one another because we love God?

5. Service (Service)

Just as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. – Matius 20:28 

That verse says that Jesus came into the world not to be served, but to serve. He who is Teacher and Lord was willing to humble Himself and wash His disciples’ feet, even to the point of dying on the cross. The cross was  the most brutal, cruel, and shameful punishment given to slaves, religious or political figures who acted as provocateurs, and people who had lost their basic rights. Yet Jesus had absolutely no sin. 

In the Bible, we can see that throughout His life, Jesus served. He taught, healed the sick, cast out demons, fed many people, loved, and made an impact on every person He touched.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross gives meaning to the fact that life is not just about ourselves, but also about others. God’s word in Philippians 2:4 teaches us to put the interests of others above our own. Do you see yourself as more important and therefore deserving to be served? Are you gladly ready to serve and help one another in need?

Jesus’ death on the cross gives us a 5S message to live out, namely saving love, suffering, self-denial, sacrifice, and service. Have we responded seriously to His sacrifice for us? God wants us to live by following in His footsteps and doing these 5 things for Him and for others. In what ways and how far have we walked according to His will? Let us practice these 5S more earnestly. Keep going!

References: 

www.livescience.com/65283-crucifixion-history.html

www.britannica.com/topic/crucifixion-capital-punishment

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