The Precious Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ
By Fred O. Blakely
The precious cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: What a theme for meditation! “Unto you who believe, He is precious,” it is written of the Savior Himself (I Pet. 2:7, RSV). And the same may certainly be said of the cross, upon which He “obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:11-12). With the Apostle, we “glory in the cross,” and cleave to it with purpose of heart as the basis of our acceptance with God in His beloved Son (Gal. 6:14-16). “Being now justified by His blood, we ––praise God! ––shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom. 5:9-11).
How varied are the facets of the cross of Christ! How dark it appears from the human view! There we behold man’s enmity, malice, and hatred vented against the holy, harmless, and undefiled Lamb of God––Jesus, the Savior of the world. This was the dark background upon which God displayed Himself in His love, grace, and mercy toward the rebellious race. How splendorous are the glories that cluster around that cross! They shine out through the darkness like the beautiful colors of the rainbow when the light breaks through the dark clouds after a storm.
Sin was spotlighted at the cross. The world––Jew and Gentile––with all its united forces of opposition to God, was there. And so was Satan and all the power of darkness. Yet, amid all the darkness of such an hour-which has no parallel––God was there––praise His Name! Man had sinned. Justice demanded a sacrifice for sin. God’s love provided One––perfect and without blemish. Judgment did its strange work––its act, its strange act.
Now, what love and grace are seen in the cross! There God delivered up His beloved Son “for us all” (Rom. 8:32), to fill the gap, repair the breach and “put away sin” (Heb. 9:26). The deity of the Lord Jesus, His incarnation, followed by His perfect love and grace, were taught and known before. His resurrection and ascension into God’s Presence, carrying with Him all the blessed and precious values of His atoning death, have been declared since. But the cross is where an end was made of sin before the throne of Heaven (Dan. 9:24), its judgment and expiation being laid hard upon the perfect Substitute provided by God Himself for sinful, guilty man (Gen. 22:8; Jn. 1:29).
It was on the cross that our Redeemer cried. “My God, My God. why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mk. 15:34). Here is where He suffered, where He died, and where His blood was shed––a precious testimony that a life had been given up, and that Heaven’s throne, with all its righteousness and purity, was fully satisfied. And in such a place, and at such a time, God Himself, who is encircled with light and true holiness, was fully glorified. Was it any wonder, or need we be surprised to learn, that the veil was rent––in testimony that the work had been accomplished by which Heaven, even the holiest of all, was now thrown open, and faith invited to enter boldly (Heb. 10:19-22)?
The result of this work of the Savior upon the cross, great and perfect as it is, is wholly efficacious for the implementation of all of God’s eternal purpose in the Son. Not only were the “ever-lasting doors” by it lifted up to admit the “King of glory” (Ps. 24:7-10); they were also thrown back for the admission of those who were sinful, but who were cleansed by the blood of the cross. The Father’s aim is, “in the dispensation of the fulness of times,” to “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Eph. 1:10; cf.. Gen. 49:10; Col. 1:20). Since by the offering of Himself our Lord has “perfected forever” those who are so sanctified (Heb. 10:12-14), the cross has made possible and certain the realization of that intent.
