At this moment, on the anniversary of the crucifixion, we pause to “look on Him whom we have pierced” (John 19:37) We are among those who pierced him since it was our sin that held Him there, since it was our sin “that drove the bitter nails.”
We look, and what do we see?
- We see the horror of our sin
We are prone to take our sin too lightly
See here what it took to pay for our sin. Our sin was so deep, so bad, so treacherous that it took the death of God the Son to pay for it.
“Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon the tree?”
Yes,
“Mine, mine was the transgression, thine the deadly pain”
“It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished”
Look to the cross and see the hideousness of your sin.
2. We see the satisfaction for our sin
This is what it took to pay for our sin, and it was done! We see here that the sins of all those who will believe are paid for. This is why it is Good Friday.
“Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me”
Look to the cross and know that your sin, all of it in all its horrible depths have been paid for, washed away, forgiven, if you are in Jesus. And if you are not, they can be if you will trust Him.
3. We see the love of God
Look what God was willing to do in order to rescue us from ourselves. Behold how he loves us!
“This is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
“God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
“Here is love, vast as the ocean, lovingkindness like a flood
when the prince of peace our ransom, shed for us his precious blood”
“What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul”
“How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch his treasure”
Look to the cross and see how deeply God has loved you. You are loved.
4. We see our pride shattered
There is nothing here of human accomplishment, but sin, rebellion, the rejection of God.
“Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded” (Rom 3:27)
“my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.”
Look to the cross and be humbled
5. We see the only way
Jesus pleaded with the Father not to have to go to the cross if there was any other way. He went to the cross so there must have been no other way for redemption to be accomplished.
This then, the work of Christ received by faith, is the only way to salvation. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we may be saved.
Look to the cross and see the only way of salvation. If you have not already trusted him do so. If you have trusted him, share that news with others.
“Thus might I hide my blushing face, While Calvary’s cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, and melt mine eyes to tears.”
“Here Lord I give myself away, ‘tis all that I can do”