In Lent, we begin to see the cross in the distance. We
learn of its healing power. It speaks the story of salvation by grace.
As Moses raised a bronze serpent, Jesus must be raised
up on a cross. The upraised serpent in the desert brought healing through the
forgiving love of God. This took place simply by looking to the upraised
serpent.
The cross brings eternal life to those who look to the
cross with the eyes of faith. The way of the cross calls for faith in Christ
who hangs upon the cross. He offers healing power through life.
Look and know that God loves you –
Look beyond the cross – the source of God’s love – “For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
The Father offered up His only Son although it was
done through the sinful acts of others.
The 30 pieces of silver Judas received is quite a
cheap price for the Father’s only Son. Equal to 120 days work – That’s 24 weeks
- About ½ a year’s pay.
The cash spent to betray Jesus was recognized as
“blood money”.
It was currency, which had been compromised. So, it
couldn’t be placed back into the treasury.
It was the price of betrayal
At what price would you sell out a friend?
Examples today…taking a life over a pair of shoes may
be an extreme act of violence. Yet at what price are some willing to push a
co-worker “under the bus” to advance their own career? Or, betray her
secret to win another’s attention or admiration?
Refusing to help because you didn’t want to get your
hands dirty? Could you be charged with similar crimes against humanity?
Sin simply causes life to be cheapened. And our
integrity compromised.
The purpose of the Father offering up His Son was the
reconciliation of the world. Sin only cheapens life – Christ restores it to its
original value. You have worth – real worth not based on what you see or value
in yourself. But on what the Father determines to be of real worth.
Transition:
We look to the one on the cross to see the source of the Father’s love. Look to
the one on the cross who is giving you this worth!
Look to the One on the cross – “Just as Moses
lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.”
John 3:14
Sin produces nothing but sickness, and pain and death.
Israel rebelled only to have deadly snakes devour the people. Where could they
go? What could they do?
They were trapped – only the Great Physician could
heal them.
By placing a serpent on a pole and lifting it up the
people were drawn to it for restoration and life.
Likewise, Jesus was lifted on a cross. The cross was
the supreme exaltation of Jesus – in being lifted Christ draws all sorts of
people to Himself - without any regard for nationality, ethnic affiliation, or
status.
Transition:
We look to the one on the cross to see the source of God’s love. We look to the
one on the cross who is giving you this worth. We look at the cross where there
is a sacrifice of life for you!
Look at the cross –a sacrifice for you – “that
everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:15
The sacrifice of Christ on a cross was a sacrifice for
a purpose that people might believe in Him. John will use the word “believe” 98
times in his gospel. John’s purpose was that his readers might believe and
continue to believe in Christ and Him alone.
People are not to believe in John the Baptist or their
preacher or anyone else. To this day people are called to believe in Christ
through the testimony and the message of the cross.
The purpose of such believing is to have eternal life.
This life, which Jesus offers, is an infinitely high quality of life in living
fellowship with God both now and forever. It is a life, which has no end. It is
an abundant life – a life with purpose, and power.
The story is told that when Thomas Aquinas returned
form worshiping at the foot of the cross, he said, “That which I have seen
today makes all that I have written seem as trash! I shall not write another
word!”
Salvation
comes simply in a look – a look at the cross and a look in faith. Certainly,
the way of the cross calls for faith in Christ who hangs upon the cross. It is
the power of new life. + Soli Deo Gloria +
Words – 825
Passive Sentences – 22%
Reading Ease – 80.3
Grade level -5.3
[1] The
Crucifixion; Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright © WELS permission granted
for personal and congregational use
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