The Untold Story of Calvary (II)

For most Christians, the cross is the very center of their faith. There are several crosses on the walls in their house, upon their neck, and on the top of their churches. But what really happened on this device of torture that causes so many to obsess over it? If you didn’t a couple weeks ago, please read my earlier post before moving on: The Untold Story of Calvary (I)

The day of calvary was much more than just the ridding of sin and crucifixion of a historical man named Jesus. Much transpire on that dark day we now call “Good Friday.” I hope continue widening all Christians’ view of the cross and deepening their appreciation for it.

Firstborn of All Creation

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation” Colossians 1:15

Christ is the firstborn of all creation. In him, through him, and unto him were all things created. He is the creator as God and the preeminent one as a man. What does this have to do with the cross though?

“And He is the Head of the Body, the church; He is the beginning, the Firstborn from the dead, that He Himself might have the first place in all things” Colossians 1:18

As the firstborn, Christ is the source, upholder, sustainer, and representative of all creation. Thus, in his death, Christ died for all creation.

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little inferior to the angels because of the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death on behalf of everything.” Hebrews 2:9

“It was necessary therefore for the examples of the things in the heavens to be purified by these, but the heavenly things themselves, by better sacrifices than these.” Hebrews 9:23

These verses were a trip to me when I first read them. Christ’s death was not only for the reconciliation of man, but for the tasting of death and cleansing of all things in heaven and on earth. Satan’s rebellion corrupted all creation, and Christ came not just to cleanse all things, but actually to terminate all creation and the world, that He might raise it up in newness of life.

Peacemaker

“For He Himself is our peace, He who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of partition, the enmity, abolishing in His flesh the law of the commandments in ordinances, that He might create the two in Himself into one new man, so making peace, and might reconcile both in one Body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity by it.” Ephesians 2:14-16

Sorry for the incredibly long quotation, but these verses just continually blow my mind! Christ’s death on the cross made the way for peace among all humanity. The context of these verses is peace between Jews and Gentiles, but practically today it applies to blacks and whites, men and women, Calvinists and Arminians, etc.

When Jesus died, he himself became our peace (v 14), made peace (v 15), and came as the Spirit announcing peace:

“And coming, He announced peace as the gospel to you who were far off, and peace to those who were near” Ephesians 2:17

No ordinances, traditions, laws, etc. should divide those who are in the Body of Christ. Christ is not divided (1 Cor. 1:13), neither are we. May the Lord enter into the current situation among the people of God and become our peace!

Grain of Wheat

“Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24

Christ likens Himself to a grain of wheat, abiding alone. In my earlier pieces on the divine romance and many sons, I went into great detail on how God Himself does not want to abide alone and that we meet His heart’s desire. This is done on the cross.

If you plant a grain of wheat in the ground, what grows? Christ is not interested in producing many people who are no longer sinful and now will obey him, though this is true. He is primarily concerned with producing many brothers who are the very same as Himself in life and nature! In fact, we are described as His very extension:

“But Jehovah was pleased to crush Him, to afflict Him with grief. When He makes Himself an offering for sin, He will see a seed, He will extend His day, And the pleasure of Jehovah will prosper in His hand.” Isaiah 53:10

Christ’s death and crushing on the cross, likened to a seed again here, led to His extension of days by the “much fruit” in John 12:24! Hallelujah we are Christ’s extension on earth today! We are his very body and brothers, carrying out his will.

There’s obviously much more that occurred on that wonderful Friday, but this is all I’ll go into for now. Thanks for all though who consecrated the time to read this. May the Lord give us all a deeper appreciation and understanding of His death.