Title: The cross speaks (Mark 15:16-32)
“Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks better than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Abel's blood spoke the call for revenge and punishment. Then what did the blood of the cross say that it was better than the blood of Abel?
I. The Cross says: Who God is.
To find Jesus Christ, the source of light, the children of darkness came to Jesus with lamps and torches. Even today, many foolishly try to find Christ with the lamp of reason, the club of desire, and the flag of honor, but no one can know God (Jesus) until Jesus reveals himself. God has revealed Himself fully and fully through the cross of Christ. Through the cross of Jesus Christ, the glory of God was first revealed, the justice and love of God were revealed, and the wisdom and power of God were shown third. The saints are to show the glory of God and the righteousness and love of Christ. And to do this, you must take up your cross and follow the Lord. The cross represents the glory of God, justice and love, wisdom and power.
II. The cross says: God saves us as sinners.
Jesus Christ became the propitiation sacrifice on the cross. He paid the price for our sins to justify us (the atoning death) and to make peace with our neighbors. The Author of reconciliation is God the Father, the Mediator of reconciliation is the Son Jesus Christ, and the Ambassadors of reconciliation are Christians led by the Holy Spirit. The cross brings us to peace with God.
III. The cross says: Sin, suffering, death, and the devil are conquered.
Jesus triumphed on the cross (Colossians 2:15). Jesus, who was crucified on the cross, said that it was finished instead of screaming. How could he say, “I am thirsty” and “Father and I are one”, who cried out for the river of the water of life, “Father, why have you forsaken me?” And that he who was dying incapacitated on the cross has accomplished everything? These are the words Jesus spoke while looking forward to what would happen in death. On the cross, Jesus first ended our suffering in hell, secondly He accomplished all the work entrusted to us by God the Father, thirdly fulfilled all prophecies of the Bible, and fourthly ended the kingdom of Satan. Christ overcame sin, suffering, death, and the devil.
closing words.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:8). The cross, the power of God, made us know who God is, obtain salvation, and conquer sin, suffering, death, and the devil.
Not everyone can hear the words of the cross. But Christ tells us who are in trouble, pain, and tribulation in the world to look to the cross. Hear what the cross has to say. In the name of the Lord, I pray that all the saints who hear these words during the Holy Week will become.