The Power of the Cross

The Bible tells us that Jesus conquered sin, Satan!, death and the grave.  Praise be to God!  He is no longer on the Cross, but through the Cross we receive life.  Why?  The short answer is the Atonement, or substitutionary death.  This life comes to those who believe that Jesus has satisfied the punishment of God for sin, by taking it on Himself.  We deserve death.  Why?  Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Romans 6:23a says, “The wages of sin is death.”  And Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”  But instead of leaving us in this death, God, through His Mercy, took our sin upon Himself and took the punishment we deserved!  Can I ask you to pause there for a moment?  In the Bible this is written as the word, “Selah.”  We need to digest this truth.

Now, therefore, through what Jesus did on the cross, His death and resurrection, we are no longer dead, but ALIVE when we believe this truth.  God is Holy, and there is no other person who can defeat death, sin and the grave.  Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.  The Holy Spirit reveals this to us, just like in Matthew 16:16 He revealed to Peter (by his confession) that Jesus was the Son of the living God, and He takes up residence in our being!  Sin has been DEFEATED!  Nothing else has to be done.  Praise the Lord!! 

When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two.  This is a symbol of Jesus making a way for us into the Holy of Holies, giving us direct access to God.  Where before only the Priests that served in the temple could have access.  Now, everyone can have access to God through Jesus Christ’s shed blood and sacrifice.  This is the new wine and the hope of Glory!  We are no longer bound to sin, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom 6:14), but are free from it and are ALIVE to God, through Jesus’ work on the Cross.

This is our salvation story.  What God has done for us.  Our lives are no longer lived for ourselves but for God’s pleasure, Truth, Hope, Dominion and Glory.  And we bless Him and thank Him for the love He has for us and how He continues to save us (Heb 7:25).  One day, soon, He will come for us to be with Him forever!

No other Name but the Name of Jesus.  No other Name but the Name of the Lord.  No other Name, but the Name of Jesus, is worthy of Glory, worthy of honor, worthy of all power and all praise!