The Story of the Bible - Jesus and The Cross!

The Centrality of the Cross of Christ

The Cross of Christ

As we approach the Christmas Holiday, we will all think about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And yes, I understand the December 25th might not be the exact day of His birth, but what is important is that He was born, He is who the Word of God says that He is, and He accomplished that which none of us could do for ourselves! Defeating Sin!

Throughout the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, various events, rituals, and individuals serve as types and shadows that foreshadow the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on The Cross of Calvary. These elements point to the need for a permanent atonement for sin, which is found in Jesus alone.

The story of the Bible is the Cross of Christ! It is THAT IMPORTANT! The Cross of Christ is the object that the Word of God is centralized and built upon. If God deemed it so important to build and centralize His Word on this One Object, then why wouldn’t we place our Faith in that object?

This is why the Cross of Christ must be the object of our Faith. It is where sin was defeated for US. It is our place of Redemption! It is the foundation of our Salvation. It is where Grace and Mercy flows to us from God. It is where the veil was rent from top to bottom allowing us access to the Father; for no man can come to the Father but by Jesus, and the only way we get to Jesus is via the Cross.

It is where Jesus said “It is Finished!” Mission Complete! God’s victory over sin was WON at the Cross! Without this victory, none of us could be saved!

Types and Shadows in the Old Testament

Genesis – Cain and Abel: One represents the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross in the shedding of His Precious Blood. While Cain’s sacrifice was one of “works”, by the hand of the Flesh. Abel’s sacrifice was one of obedience which God required and beautiful in God’s sight; while Cain’s was disobedient, beautiful in man’s eyes but not in God’s.

Abraham and Isaac: God’s command for Abraham to sacrifice his “beloved son” Isaac, with Isaac carrying the wood and a ram provided as a substitute, foreshadowed God providing His Son. This prefigured God the Father offering Jesus as the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice.

The Sabbath: Physical rest which served as a “type and shadow” of the spiritual rest that we all have now that the Messiah has come and defeated sin!

Joseph: Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold for silver, and cast into a pit, but later exalted to save his people. This mirrors Jesus' betrayal for silver, burial, resurrection, and Salvation of humanity.

Jonah: Jonah's three days and nights in a great fish. Jesus explicitly used this as a type of His own death and resurrection.

Prophetic Witnesses

Prophets also provided detailed descriptions of a “Suffering Servant” that foretold Christ's sacrifice.

Isaiah 53: This chapter describes a servant “pierced for our transgressions” and bearing the “sin of many,” led “like a lamb to the slaughter.” This prophesied Jesus' atoning death, taking on humanity's sins and sorrows.

Psalm 22: This psalm details the suffering of a righteous man, including the cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus quoted this on the cross, and its details regarding the crucifixion were fulfilled during His death.

The Lamb Who Was Slain

In the Book of Revelations, the question was asked, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?” The answer was “The One who was slain,” Jesus Christ, which depicts His great sacrifice on the Cross.

Revelation 5:1–10 (Amplified)

I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, closed and sealed with seven seals...

“Worthy and deserving are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

It was because of Jesus’ Great, Victorious Sacrifice on the Cross that ONLY He had the authority and virtue to approach God on the Throne to receive the scroll and break the seals.

From the Book of Genesis to Revelation, The Cross of Christ has been the Theme! It is the centerpiece and very foundation of Salvation! It is where every Child of God should have their Faith, and the ONLY place we should have our Faith.

Somewhere we have left this very important piece (The Cross of Christ) to our success in living a victorious life before God. It is our assurance in having everlasting life with Christ!

We’ve left the Cross behind, but we MUST have it! It’s no longer preached in the House of God, and we must return to our first love. It was at the Cross of Christ that we first learned of the greatest love of all – the love God has towards us in the giving of His only Son, Jesus Christ!

Have a Blessed and Safe Holiday Season!

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