On October 8, 2009 the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Salazar vs. Buono, in which the plaintiff is suing to have an eight foot high cross erected in the Mojave Desert to honor soldiers taken down. Jay Sekulow, who heads the American Center for Law and Justice, filed a brief with the Court in defense of the cross. It got me to thinking again about where our country is and how it got here.
How in the world did we ever get to the place where freedom of religion has been turned over to mean “freedom from religion?” It’s getting so bad that you would think the First Amendment only applies to non-Christians. The irony of it is you see crosses everywhere on buildings, vehicles, in stores. Along I-40 in the Texas panhandle is a Catholic shrine with a fifty foot tall cross which they claim is the largest cross in North America. Crosses are very popular on jewelry. Athletes and even movie stars wear them. Watch closely on TV and see how often you see them. Nobody complains about that of course, but that’s because they haven’t got a clue what it’s about. To most of those people it’s nothing more than a good luck charm. It’s only an offense to non-believers if the person wearing one is a believer. How interesting that in a society that is already called “post-Christian,” and is quickly becoming “anti-Christian,” that the cross is still very much a focal point in America. No matter how much the atheist ACLU and others try to remove it, the cross is still the epicenter of our society.
When an earthquake hits it sends out shock waves in all directions like ripples in a pond. The greatest force of the quake, however, is at its central location, which is called the epicenter. The epicenter of the 1990 earthquake that hit the Philippines was the city of Baguio in northern Luzon, directly underneath a ten story hotel. The earth’s crust shifted so violently that the hotel didn’t collapse straight down, it actually fell over sideways. We lived 100 miles south of Baguio, but the tremors were so great that people ran outside in fear that their roofs would fall in on them. The ground shook so hard that cars were bouncing on their tires two feet into the air.
The Bible also has an epicenter. This epicenter of the Bible, the great power that sends shock waves rippling out in all directions is the cross of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament points forward to it, it is the climax of the Gospels, and the rest of the New Testament points back to it. It is the central focus of the Book. We would have no Bible without the cross.
The cross is the epicenter of time. Ancient history drove inevitably toward the “fullness of time” when a Savior was born with the singular purpose of nailing the sins of all mankind to the cross. Modern history has been inevitably driven and influenced by the cross. As alluded to above, it is at the center of the greatest controversies in our country today.
The cross is the epicenter of all religion. The Passover lamb, the blood splattered on the side posts and upper posts of the door frame is a picture of the cross. The blood sacrifices of primitive religions and occultists the world over are false imitations of the cross. The baptism of the believer is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It points to the cross. All religion points to the cross either by way of acceptance, imitation, or rejection.
The cross is the epicenter of government. Proverbs 21:1 says that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord. Government is an instrument of God for righteousness. Those governments that have exercised righteous judgment, that have honored and protected, or at least tolerated Christianity have flourished and received the blessings of God. Those governments that have persecuted Christians, though they may be a terror for awhile, have all ultimately suffered the judgment of God. Some might ask, “What about China? China has murdered tens of millions of Christians and they are growing into an international power. Why hasn’t God destroyed them?” God has His own time table. Remember the communists took over Russia in 1917. God allowed them 74 years before the Soviet Union collapsed, but they did collapse. China has only been communist for 60 years. Maybe there’s a parallel there, maybe not, but make no mistake. China will someday suffer the judgment of God.
The cross is the epicenter of philosophy. Since Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, philosophers have been trying to figure out the meaning of life. But everything they’ve tried has come up empty. The cross confuses philosophers. Inevitably, all of man’s reasoning and all of his ideas are either for or against the cross. You can go to nearly every corner of the earth and find a picture of a cross somewhere, either painted on a wall, hanging in a church, on jewelry, sown into clothing and flags. It is the most puzzling symbol in the world. Philosophers can’t figure it out. The cross was a cruel instrument of death. It stood for shame and dishonor. Yet today it is cherished, revered and honored as an instrument of God’s love. No other image or symbol on earth has ever spread so far and wide, or been so vehemently attacked and persecuted. It doesn’t represent an idea, it represents a man, the God-Man, Jesus Christ. It doesn’t promote a philosophy, it stands for the truth. It is not a banner of war, but an emblem of peace. It no longer represents death; instead it proclaims life. It is the most unique symbol the world has ever seen.
The cross is the epicenter of human thought. When a person is confronted by the cross he must either accept it or reject it. There is no middle ground. Some will say they haven’t made up their mind yet. There is one problem with that: if you die without making up your mind you will automatically fall into the camp that has rejected the cross.
The cross is the one thing in the world man cannot get away from. The cross gives hope, comfort and promise to the believer. It offends, judges and condemns the unbeliever.
Ian Paisley, the Presbyterian preacher/Member of Parliament from North Ireland once made this statement: At the cross Christ was crucified, the Law was magnified, Judgment was satisfied, Satan was terrified, I was justified, and God was glorified. In a nutshell he pretty well described it.
As Christ hung on the cross He uttered seven statements that are referred to as “the last sayings of Christ.” In these sayings we find the answer to the question of eternal life, as well as the answers to every question about this life. The first three sayings concern relationships to people, to family and to God. The fourth is the epicenter. It concerns the soul of the individual. The last three sayings concern the way a Christian should live.
1. The cross holds the answer to human relationships. In Luke 23:34, as He suffered in agony, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do.” The Roman soldiers and the Jewish leaders taunting him didn’t deserve forgiveness. They didn’t even ask for it, but He forgave them anyway. Someone will say, “But you don’t know what that person did to me. He lied to me. He stole from me. He offended me.” Did he nail you to a cross? Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone were to be like Christ and forgive all offenses no matter how great? Human relationship problems would cease. Everyone would be reconciled. Consider how great a price Christ paid for our sins. Christ, the King of Glory, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, “even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-9). Jesus told the disciples to forgive seventy times seven, in other words, constantly and continually. The answer to human relationships is humility, and humility is found at the cross.
2. The cross holds the answer to man’s relationship to God. In Luke 23:43, Jesus said to the thief, “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.” It is the cross that made our entry into heaven possible. Without the cross every living soul ever conceived would drop into the pit of hell. The cross is the bridge over the abyss that leads to heaven and eternal joy in the presence of God. There is no other way. Man says I will build my bridge of good works, but good works will be burned up and that bridge will collapse. Man says I have received the sacraments; the church will build a bridge for me. But the Bible says that every man will be held accountable for himself. Any bridge the church builds for you will fail. Man says I will go to God through some other way, but Jesus says, “I am the way.” The cross is the only bridge to heaven. It is the way of the cross that leads home.
3. The cross holds the answer to family relationships. On the cross Jesus said in John 19:26-27, “Woman, behold thy Son,” and to John, “Behold thy mother.” The cross tells us to honor our fathers and our mothers. It tells parents to look well to the upbringing of their children. You have heard the expression, “like father, like son.” My own father advised me once not to do the same things he did. The problem is, most children will grow up to be mirror images of their parents. And why not? If a father has adulterous affairs, why shouldn’t the son? If the mother is a disobedient nag, why shouldn’t the daughter be the same? And the problem increases from one generation to the next. The sins you commit in restraint your children will commit in excess. Raising children is not an easy thing, and sometimes it seems there are certain children that just have a rebellious spirit that cannot be tamed, but if parents would raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Christ who died for them on the cross there would be fewer rebellious children turning to lives of sin. If children honored their parents they wouldn’t have the judgment of God on their lives. If husbands loved and honored their wives, and wives loved and honored their husbands, there wouldn’t be any divorces. A healthy family is one that has built itself around the cross.
4. The cross is the answer to man’s self-relationship, that is, his inner peace. Christ had hung on the cross for three hours and at noon a strange darkness came over all the earth. As Christ suffered as no man has ever suffered He became sin for all mankind and the Father turned His back on Him. Those who had been mocking only moments before became silent and began to beat on their own breasts. The wrath of God was poured out on the Son for three hours until in Matthew 27:46 He cried out the loneliest words the human ear has ever heard, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” He was forsaken so that you might never be forsaken. The Father turned His back on the Son, so that He might never turn His back on you. The debt of sin was paid. Death was swallowed up in victory. You no longer need to fear the wrath of God. The Savior has taken the wrath upon Himself. You no longer need to worry about what will happen tomorrow. A Comforter has come to give you peace. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things have I spoken unto you that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” If you, with thanksgiving in your heart, will commune with God, “the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). The world, sin and death were overcome at the cross. Salvation was procured at the cross. Eternal life was secured at the cross. The answer to peace in your heart is found at the cross.
5. The cross is the answer to man’s relationship with Scripture. As His torment drew near the end Jesus said, “I thirst.” He had been brutally scourged and beaten in a kangaroo trial that had lasted all night. His back and brow were bleeding as they nailed Him to the cross, and He had been hanging there for six hours. His tongue was swollen and His mouth dry. Surely He had been thirsty for a long time. In a few more moments He would die. Why did He wait until this moment to ask for water? John 19:28 says “that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” He showed us that even in death we are to have the highest regard for the Scripture. The Bible is the Word of God. It is not just a collection of sayings. It is not just a good book. It is God’s very Word. Every word in it is from God. Every word in it is true. If you want to know how you should live, live by this book. It was good enough for Christ to live by as He struggled on the cross, and it is good enough for you to live by every day of your life. We should honor God’s Word in everything we do, and the greatest example we have of honoring the Word of God is found at the cross.
6. The cross is the answer to the work of redemption. On the cross the penalty for sin was paid and the work of redemption was complete. Only then in John 19:30 did Jesus say, “It is finished.” He did not stop short of the goal. He completed the work that He had set out to do. His was the most difficult job anyone has ever faced, but He stayed to the end. He did not quit. The Greek word is “tetelestai.” It is the same word shepherds and priests used when they found a perfect lamb for the sacrifice. It is the same word a servant would use when he reported to his master that his work was completed. It is the same word a merchant would use to tell a customer that his bill was paid in full. Christ gave us the supreme example of how we should live our lives, serving Him faithfully to the very end. How sweet it would be when you stand before the Lord to be able to say, “It is finished. I have finished the work you wanted me to do.” Whatever your position in life, whatever God has called you to do, be faithful until the job is done. When Winston Churchill made his final public appearance he got up to speak and when he was done he closed with six words: “Never, never, never, never give up.” Don’t quit. Fight a good fight, finish the course, keep the faith till Jesus comes. You will find the strength and courage you need at the cross.
7. The cross is the answer to the day of your death. Finally the horrible crucifixion day was over and in Luke 23:46 Jesus said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” In 1964, civil war raged in the Belgian Congo. Missionary Elmer Deal tells the story of a young preacher named Gregoire, who was taken by communists and told to deny Christ. When he refused they tied his hands behind his back and threw him into a rushing river. As he was being swept away he came up to the surface long enough to say, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit,” and he disappeared from sight. How could he say such words at the very moment he was being unjustly murdered? He could say them because from the cross Christ uttered those same words and they have brought comfort to believers at the moment of death for nearly 2,000 years. There is no fear when you die trusting in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. That is why a year ago our young friend, Gully, when the angels came for him and his spiritual eyes were opened, just before he shed his earthly tabernacle, could raise his arms and look into the face of a loving Savior and say, “Praise the Lord.” There is only peace knowing that you are about to see Jesus face to face. Passing through the valley of the shadow of death there is comfort at the cross.
The epicenter of the Bible is the cross, but with the cross comes the resurrection. For if Christ had not risen from the grave the cross would be meaningless. This is the Gospel: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-5). Today Christ sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High, and because He conquered death, He has assured eternal life for all who come to Him. Do you know Christ today?
