The Purpose of the Cross

By Timothy Fortune

The cross meant shame, humiliation, pain, grief, abandonment, rejection, and sacrifice to Jesus. We know that Jesus knew that afterwards He would resurrect and be seated at the right hand of His Father. That of His kingdom there would be no end. He knew that after the cross all humanity would have the opportunity to be reconciled back unto the Father, the gap that separated man from almighty God would now be bridged. So what was the purpose for the Cross?

For hundreds of years since the first sin in the Garden of Eden blood has been shed in order to try and cover up the sins of man kind. But the blood of animals was not capable of paying for those sins. The only way that the sins of mankind could be totally forgiven was for the Lamb of God to be sacrificed on an alter. John looked up one day as Jesus approached and said “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” Jesus was that sacrifice for the remission of our sins. The cross was the place of the sacrifice. That is the place were the eternal blood of God Himself was shed, the only blood that had the power to take away all sins.

As Jesus hung there suspended between heaven and earth, as blood poured out of his body, with the crown of thorns pressed deep into His head, the remission of humanities sins were being paid for. All the wrath, judgment, and punishment that our sins caused was being poured out upon the Son of God. He was taking our place so we, through accepting His sacrifice, could receive forgiveness and healing. Without Jesus coming to this earth and allowing Himself to be placed on that cross all mankind would be lost forever.

So the purpose of the cross is simple. The cross is the place where the judgment of mankind’s sins was paid for. Jesus Christ took upon Himself all the sins of humanity and shed His blood in order to purchase our salvation. The blood of animals was no longer needed. The blood and sacrifice of Jesus life was the last blood that would ever have to be shed for the remission of humanities sins.

The cross a place of pain, agony, grief, and sorrow because a sacrifice is never easy. However one of the greatest verses in Scripture is Hebrews 12:2 “...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross...” Jesus endured the cross because He knew that it was the only way for you and I to be able to have a relationship and be reconciled with our Heavenly Father.

The cross should remind us just how much God loves and cares for us. So much that He would not withhold His only Son from us, but allowed His Son to be the sacrifice for our redemption. Praise His name forever!!!!