The Centrality of the Cross -The Great Exchange - Rev. Maulin Vanderburgh
“For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God through our union with him. ”
Submission by Rev. Maulin Vanderburgh
God reconciled sinful man to Himself by making His sinless Son the sin bearer and dying in the sinner’s place. Jesus Christ paid the death penalty for the sinner so that God could set the sinner free and declare him righteous in His holy presence. He did more than just forgive us our sins, He imputed (to credit or ascribe (something) to a person or a cause) the perfect righteousness of His Son to us.
A great exchange took place. Christ got all our sin and guilt; we got His perfect righteousness standing before God. His righteousness was exchanged for our sin. Jesus died on the cross in our stead.
What is the centrality of the cross? What does it mean to you?
Perhaps the most familiar of all Christian symbols is the cross. We see them on buildings, books, brochures, and Bibles. We find them atop steeples, against walls, and around necks. They are everywhere. But what do they mean? More importantly, what do they mean to you?
Historically the cross meant death and suffering as a cruel means of execution. But is that why we celebrate it today? Is that why we embrace it this morning? No not at all! The cross means much more than that. To the one who believes the message of God as given in His Word, the cross has identity. It becomes the cross of Jesus Christ. It means life rather than death; it means love rather than hatred; and it means joy rather than sorrow. Through the Cross of Jesus Christ, God reconciled sinful man unto Himself. An amazing accomplishment, and one that only He could do!
Annually, on Easter Sunday millions of Christians and non-Christians gather in places of worship to celebrate the significance of this Great Exchange (the death, burial and resurrection) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Today you can be a recipient of this great reconciliation process. You can have your sins washed away and know forgiveness. You can accept Jesus as your Savior and make him Lord of your life. Will you?
HAPPY EASTER