Title: The meaning of suffering on the cross
meaning of crucifixion
Text/ Hebrews 5:7-10
1. Introduction
There is a story like this in the Talmud. In the old days, during Noah's Flood, a male and female pair were required to enter Noah's ark. But happiness came to me alone. Noah said, "No one can enter the ark without a partner, so bring your partner." After a long time, happiness brought her mate, and that mate was unhappy.
Happiness and unhappiness are neighbors.
In this real world we live in, happiness (樂) and unhappiness (苦) exist. We all want happiness and hate unhappiness. Goto: Swallow when sweet and spit out when used). However, if we look at the history of our people, we can see that happiness and unhappiness are closely interrelated dialectically. Happiness comes from unhappiness, and unhappiness comes from happiness.
-You can't buy hardships even if you pay money - "The first way (pig) is the hallway (pig)" in the game board - The first five feet in the gambling board - 少年登高科一不幸 (Bad high school fruit - too much It's often unfortunate to get a job while you're young) - 人間萬事 塞翁之山
2. Misfortune = Mystery of Suffering
I mentioned earlier that happiness comes from unhappiness and unhappiness comes from happiness, but when we are born, we are not born smiling “ha-ha-ha-” but rather “ang-ang-ang-” crying As we experience, happy times feel short and unhappy times feel long (Life is short to the fortunate, long to the unfortunate). It is true that it is big, desperate, and first.
However, the Bible says that “a person who firmly believes in God” has meaning in all suffering-unhappiness-pain-pain-sorrow, whether due to his own sins or the sins of others. Even suffering for which the cause is unknown, like Job, has meaning. Even in the fact that Job received “the wonderful spiritual grace of seeing God with his eyes, which he had only heard of with the ears,” through severe suffering for unknown reasons, and that he received twice the material blessings of “壽富貴多男考終命”. You can tell (Job 42:1-6, 42:10).
Then we should meditate on the meaning of Jesus' suffering on the cross here.
3. What is the meaning of Jesus' suffering on the cross?
first. Jesus' suffering on the cross makes us realize our sins. As I said last week, Jesus said, “No!” to each of us, our individual-existential and religious-social-systemic sins. Because of this, He suffered on the cross. As the Latin proverb says, “truth makes enemies” (veritas odium parit), Jesus, the truth, is the truth of each of us sin (material golden omnipotence, hatred, pride, greed, and righteousness for our own gain Sins of forsaking, sexual immorality, indifference to neighbors, pride in life, etc.)-Due to the sins of our society (unrighteous laws, corruption, irregularities in welfare, political collusion, etc.) you are dead
When we see the cross of Jesus, we need to look back on our own sins and the sins of our society, realize it, and repent.
second. Jesus' suffering on the cross makes us realize how strong the power of sin is.
It is said that when a person dies, he regrets three things. One, I'd rather live by giving! Two, let's have some fun! Three, I'll be patient! This is it. When I came to the place of death, I was able to give and live - I was able to live happily - I was able to live with it... It means that I regret and lament that I did not live like that. Why? Because of the sins of indifference and stinginess - because of the sins of greed and fear to accumulate - because of the sin of unforgiveness and resentment. In this way, the power of sin follows a person even to death.
Sin has the power to kill even Jesus, the Son of God, by hanging on the cross. When we look at the cross of Jesus, we must realize deeply and practically how terrible the power of sin is for us.
third. Jesus' suffering on the cross makes us realize clearly that suffering comes when we confront the power of sin in real life.
*Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered, and when he was made perfect, he became eternal salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5:7-10).
*For we must also suffer together in order to be glorified with Christ (Romans 8:17).
*For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him (Philippians 1:29).
* But suffer along with the gospel according to the power of God. Suffer with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus... You suffer for all things because you are troubled, doing the work of an evangelist and fulfilling your duties. Do it (2 Timothy 1:7, 2:3, 4:5)
*But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is beautiful in the sight of God (1 Peter 2:20-21).
* Blessed are those who suffer for the sake of righteousness. It is the will of God to suffer for doing good (1 Peter 3:13-18).