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VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Reflections on the Cross

3/22/2018

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As we approach Passion week and take some time to reflect on the events that lead up to the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and all that it means to us, I find myself dwelling on the importance of the detailed account of the crucifixion that we find in the pages of the Bible; the historical reality of Jesus’ death, which is the very foundation of our faith.
 
The Biblical account authenticates the truth/ the reliability of God’s written testimony about His Son.  The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:  I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved…Otherwise, you have believed in vain.  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
 
The story of Jesus’ death in the pages of the Bible validates its historical reality, it affirms that what is recorded in the Holy Scriptures is true and it reminds us that a price was paid, an awful price was paid for our salvation.
 
Peter writes…it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed…but with the precious blood of Christ.  (1 Peter 1:18-19)
 
…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.  (Hebrews 9:22)
 
But, Christ…has appeared once for all…to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.  (Hebrews 9:26)
 
His death and burial provide for us a graphic picture of what it means to be forgiven, to have our sins removed.  The Hebrew word for ‘forgiveness’ means to lift and take away.  Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  (John 1:29)   Christ has removed our sin once and for all and forever.  He has provided forgiveness by His sacrificial death and in so doing, He has removed the sting of death.
 
Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?  The sting of death is sin…But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)
 
Start anywhere in the Bible and the result is the same; all roads lead to the cross.  It’s at the cross that we are reminded a sacrifice was made once and for all.  Jesus Christ laid down His life, He suffered was crucified, died and was buried; His sacrifice solves the problem of our sin--there is no other solution. His sacrifice gives us a righteous standing before a holy God--there is no other way.
 
The crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ is the most important event in history.  Everything before it, leads to it.  Everything after it, looks back on it.  Nothing that has ever happened has had the impact of the cross of Jesus Christ.  But, we need to understand, His death was not the end of the story…on the third day He rose from the dead!

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    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice ; they have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley) and Andrea & Jason.

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