The Message of the Cross
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 1:18
Introduction
Through the cross, Jesus has taught us “the message of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18), which is the power of God. To some, this message of the cross may appear foolish. Yet as Scripture says, “the gospel of Christ ... is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). To us who believe this word, it is the power of God. And because “therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17), if we believe, obey, and follow the message of the cross, we also may receive eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:8–9).
(The Way)
1. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (The Way)
When Adam and Eve disobeyed the word of God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin entered mankind (Romans 5:17–19). Thus a wall of sin stood between God and us (Isaiah 59:1–3), and we became enemies of God (Ephesians 2:14–16).
Through the cross, Jesus broke down that wall of sin, made peace with God, and opened for us a new and living way (Hebrews 10:19–20).
Hebrews 10:19–20
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.”
Therefore, we can come to God only through Jesus (John 14:6). Apart from Jesus, no one can come to the Father. This is why we must do all things, whether in word or deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17).
For nothing we offer can ever ascend to God unless it is offered through the name of Jesus.
John 14:13–14
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 16:23–24
“Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
(The Truth)
2. The Precious Blood (The Truth)
Jesus, as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), shed His precious blood on the cross for our sins. This fulfilled the Passover recorded in Exodus 12. There, God commanded the children of Israel to take a male lamb without blemish, of the first year, and to strike its blood on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses where they would eat it. That night, when God struck the land of Egypt, the blood on the house would be a token, and He would pass over them when He saw the blood (Exodus 12:12–14).
God said that the blood signifies life and can make atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11).
For this reason, God commanded the Israelites to apply the blood to the two side posts and the upper door post. Likewise, Jesus cleansed us from our sins by shedding His precious blood on the cross (1 John 1:7). Thus, blood signifies atonement. Therefore, we must now have our sins washed in the name of Jesus, because just as the blood of the lamb was given as a sign of forgiveness, the name of Jesus gives forgiveness of our sins.
1 John 2:12
“I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.”
Luke 24:47–48
“and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.”
Acts 10:43–44
“To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
In this way, the name of Jesus can forgive our sins. Therefore, just as the blood of the lamb was applied to the two side posts and the upper door post as a sign of forgiveness, we also must do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17), so that our sins may be forgiven through His name. Thus, the precious blood means atonement for sin, and it points to the name of Jesus. This is “the truth.”
(The Life)
3. The Pierced Side (The Life)
When Jesus died on the cross, one of the soldiers, unlike what was done to the two thieves, did not break His legs. Instead, to confirm His death, he pierced Jesus’ side with a spear (John 19:31–37).
This act of the soldier may seem accidental, but in truth it fulfilled the words of God in Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, and Psalm 34:20. We can also understand that Jesus’ side was pierced so that He might obtain His bride. Just as God made Eve from the rib taken from the side of the first man Adam (Genesis 2:20–23), so also God purposed to obtain His bride, the church, through the side of Jesus, the last Adam. Therefore, we today can become the bride of Jesus, that is, the church (Ephesians 5:29–32, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, 1 Corinthians 3:16–17).
Now we, the church and bride of Jesus, must no longer live in our own name, but in the name of Jesus, our husband. Just as the people of Israel and Jerusalem in the Old Testament were chosen and called by the name of God, we also have been espoused to one husband, Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:2), and have become a wife called by the name of Jesus. When we live in the name of Jesus our husband (Colossians 3:17), we may have life through His name.
John 20:31
“but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
John 14:6
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
Amen.