The Story of the Bible - Jesus and The Cross!

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 that 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 upon which the Word of God is centralized and built. If God deemed it so important to build and centralize His Word on this one object, then why would we not place our faith there as well?

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 flow to us from God. It is where the veil was torn from top to bottom, allowing us access to the Father—for no one comes to the Father except through Jesus, and the only way to Jesus is through the Cross.

It is where Jesus declared, “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 through the shedding of His precious blood. Cain’s sacrifice was one of works—by the hand of the flesh. Abel’s sacrifice was one of obedience, which God required and found pleasing. Cain’s offering was 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 own Son. This prefigured God the Father offering Jesus as the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice.

The Sabbath: Physical rest served as a type and shadow of the spiritual rest we now have because the Messiah has come and defeated sin.

Joseph: Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold for silver, and cast into a pit, yet later exalted to save his people. This mirrors Jesus’ betrayal for silver, His burial, resurrection, and the salvation of humanity.

Jonah: Jonah’s three days and nights in the great fish were explicitly used by Jesus as a type of His own death and resurrection.

Prophetic Witnesses

The prophets also provided detailed descriptions of a suffering servant who would give His life for others.

Isaiah 53: This chapter describes a servant “pierced for our transgressions” and bearing the “sin of many,” led “like a lamb to the slaughter.” It prophetically reveals Jesus’ atoning death and His taking upon Himself the sins and sorrows of humanity.

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 vivid details were fulfilled during His crucifixion.

The Lamb Who Was Slain

In the Book of Revelation, the question is asked, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” The answer is “the One who was slain”—Jesus Christ—depicting 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, 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 and victorious sacrifice on the Cross that only He had the authority and worthiness to approach God’s throne, receive the scroll, and break its seals.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Cross of Christ is the theme. It is the centerpiece and the very foundation of salvation. It is where every child of God must place their faith—and the only place our faith should rest.

Somewhere along the way, we have left this vital truth—the Cross of Christ—behind in our pursuit of living victorious lives. Yet it is our assurance of eternal life with Christ.

We must return to the Cross. It is no longer preached as it should be 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 for us in giving His only Son, Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed and safe holiday season.