What should I think when I see the cross of Jesus? To answer this question let's see what Jesus himself said about the cross he took. Jesus said - 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life' (John 3:16 NKJV). So when we see the cross of Jesus, we see the love of God proved through sacrifice. True love requires sacrifice of self for the good of others. Cross is a sacrifice, a pain and punishment of self for the betterment of others. God the father loved us so much, that he himself took the punishment, sacrificed his only begotten son for our sins so that we humans can be saved from the punishment of our sins. By Jesus taking up the cross, he sacrificed his own life, so that we can get a new and everlasting life by believing in him.
Some might think why punishment is required for sins and evil acts. Well, if we think about our Earthly world, if we freely allow evil in society then in no time this world will become 100% hell. We have legal system in countries which has laid down laws and penal actions for those who break the law so that evil can be stopped and right attitude to live in society be promoted.
Similarly, God has given us laws to liveby which is acceptable to him. And those who break God's laws should be punished and that is the fair justice system. But we humans became so evil and did rebellious evil acts which deserved death and hell as per fair justice system. 'An eye for an eye'. But our God is a God of love as well. He loved us with great love, and to ensure justice prevails, he fulfilled justice through his love. Justice demanded punishment for our sins and love demanded sacrifice. So God sent his only begotten son out of love for us and he took the punishment on the cross on-behalf of our sins.
Now we don't have any excuse in not honoring the work of God and Jesus. Jesus said that whoever honors and believes in him will not perish but have an everlasting life. Those who believe in him will not perish, they will not suffer for hell, they will not go to hell, but have an everlasting life.
What does it mean to believe? In Hebrew original text we understand believe means truth. 'To believe' is a verb - An action based on underlying truth. So those who believe in Jesus means they take actions on underlying truth of Jesus. We take actions on underlying truth of what Jesus has said and done.
Jesus also said those who believe in him will receive the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is Spirit of God whose purpose is to make us holy. Holy means set apart. Holy Spirit works in us to set us apart from the sins of the world. Those who haven't received Holy Spirit, shall ask God in humility and in true repentance of heart and they will receive it as per God's grace.
So next time when we see the cross of Jesus we see the love of God proved through sacrifice of his innocent son. We believe in this - we accept this as truth and live in obedience to him through his words given in the bible. When we do this we experience the new life through Holy Spirit whom God gives to his people.
God bless you!
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