Dec 12
8
Christ Crucified
Tom Harding
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1Cor. 2:2).
The crucifixion and death of the Lord Jesus Christ was no accident. He was not a helpless victim of unjust men but the appointed sacrifice of a HOLY GOD. Here are three things that we need to always remember about the death of our Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary.
1. GOD PLANNED THE CROSS!
It is true that the Pharisees went out and held a council about how they might destroy Him (Matt. 12:14). But God, in the council halls of eternity, determined the outcome of their meeting. Listen to what the word of God declares; “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). They did what their wicked hearts wanted to do; but in doing so, they execute the purpose of God (Acts: 4:26-27). Our Lord was the Lamb that was promised (Rev. 13:8) and the LAMB that in time was sacrificed unto God to put away our sin (John 1:29; Gal. 4:4).
2. GOD PRESIDED OVER THE CROSS!
Pilate thought he was in charge that day. He said, “Don’t you know that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” But our Lord corrected him quickly, “Thou couldest have no power over me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:10-11). My friend, God was in charge that day. Our God eternally, sovereignty rules and reigns over all things (Isa. 46:9-11; Rom. 11:36; Eph. 1:11). Our Lord gave Himself to be the sacrifice for our sins; no man took His life (John 10:18; 18:4-11).
3. GOD PARTICIPATED IN THE AFFLICTION OF THE CROSS!
We know that it pleased Pilate to condemn Him, the Pharisees were pleased to see Him crucified, and the Roman soldiers were pleased to put another Jew to death. But we must always remember that IT PLEASED GOD TO BRUISE HIM (Isa. 53:10)! The work wicked men did that day at Calvary was not sufficient to put away our sin. What God did that day at the cross is our hope. He was “smitten of God and afflicted.” God, by divine imputation, made our sin to be laid on Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21). God punished Jesus Christ as the believer’s Substitute (I Peter 2:24; 3:18). God made an end of our sin in Christ Jesus (Heb.1:3; 9:26; 10:17).
Now, let us glory in Christ crucified as our only hope (Gal. 6:14).