Why Jesus Part 3

The Mystery Of The Cross

Everything done in the scriptures, the events, and every detail concerning salvation were precisely picked by God. None of the events in the scriptures is without significance. Each time we talk about Jesus, we remember the cross, but the meaning behind the cross is more profound than a mere tree on which He was crucified.

The cross has four points: one is buried in the earth for support, the other part of the one buried in the earth is pointing towards heaven, and the two other points are outwards to two different directions; two pieces of wood joined together, one horizontal and one vertical.

The mystery of the points:

The mystery of the horizontal wood: Today, we look to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for salvation because that is how it’s supposed to be. The two horizontal points represent two ages. The age of the Old Testament and the age to come (our time).

In the Old Testament, the Jews were commanded by God to offer sacrifices for sins and atonement. Yet, the Bible tells us that those sacrifices could not wash away their sins. Instead, the most it could do was to cover their sins.

“FOR SINCE the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come–instead of fully expressing those things–it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars]. For if it were otherwise, would [these sacrifices] not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once and for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin. But [as it is] these sacrifices annually bring a fresh remembrance of sins [to be atoned for], Because the blood of bulls and goats is powerless to take sins away.” Hebrews 10:1-4 AMPC

The forgiveness God gave to those who made those sacrifices in the Old Testament as they made those sacrifices was due to the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus that was yet to come. So, anyone who made sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins looked forward to the cross of Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice that was yet to come. In those sacrifices, their acts were a spiritual pledging of allegiance and faith in and to the one who was yet to die on the cross for all mankind. Though they received forgiveness in that age, their forgiveness was from the future, reaching back to them.

And for us today, who believe and turn away from our evil ways, our eyes look backwards to the salvation that was given on the cross and the sacrifice that was made on the cross, and these two ages culminated in one, thus bringing salvation to those in the Old Testament who anticipated His coming and us who today look back to what He did on the cross. Many people ask, “how is the death of Jesus on the cross which was 2000 years ago relevant to me today”? Here is the answer; the other part of the cross reaches into the future.

This is one of the remarkable meanings of what Jesus said in the scriptures when He said:

“And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself.” John 12:32 AMPC.

One was the bringing in of both Jews and Gentiles into one family of God because at that time, all His disciples were Jews, and salvation was only for the Jews. And that was the reason He said in John:

“And I have other sheep [besides these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd. [Ezek. 34:23.] John 10:16 AMPC

Two groups of people were brought together in one salvation as Jesus had his hands spread on the cross, reaching forward to our age and the other hand reaching the other way to the thousands of years past, bringing forgiveness to all in Himself.

“He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.”1 Peter 2:24 AMPC

No one else can reach into the past and into the future to bring salvation to all mankind.

The other pointing into the earth or buried into the earth firmly established the sacrifice of Jesus as the lamb that was crucified before the foundation of the world. It reaches down to the earth and is firmly established in that scripture that says:

“It is true that He was chosen and foreordained (destined and foreknown for it) before the foundation of the world, but He was brought out to public view (made manifest) in these last days (at the end of the times) for the sake of you.” 1 Peter 1:20 AMPC.

The last part points towards heaven, as a sign of the direction to where those who believe will go. In the cross of Jesus, the ages past, the age to come, heaven and earth came into one.

“And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 AMPC

Hence, in His name, and only in His name, is salvation. No one can be saved through another means or religion. Every other way or religion leads to hell and to the lake of fire.

Jesus tells us that those other ways, religions, and so-called faiths are thieves.

“So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them. I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.” John 10:7-9 AMPC

As some falsely claim that the Bible talks about their prophet as the prophet who will come after Jesus. Yes, indeed the Bible talks about their prophets, but the Bible tells us that their prophet or prophets are thieves and liars and shouldn’t be listened to.

“I write to you not because you are ignorant and do not perceive and know the Truth, but because you do perceive and know it, and [know positively] that nothing false (no deception, no lie) is of the Truth. Who is [such a] liar as he who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)? He is the antichrist (the antagonist of Christ), who [habitually] denies and refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2:21-22 AMPC

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)! As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)! Galatians 1:8-9 AMPC

Jesus is the only way to God, and no other way leads to eternal life.

Stay tuned for Part 4