Matthew 16:21-27
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples how that He
must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priest
and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then said Jesus
unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me.
In our scripture texts we have salvation, sacrifice and service that
Jesus displayed on the cross. That said, let's look at each-salvation is what Jesus provided
through His atoning death redeeming man back to God the Father so that all who
believe in Him and accept His atonement in faith shall be saved. What salvation
means to every believer is that Christ paid our sin-debt as man lacked the
ability to pay his own sin-debt. Christ our Savior willingly gave His life as a
ransom for many-all who believe.
Sacrifice-Christ made the
one-time sacrifice to atone man's sins. Christ's sacrifice supersedes the
sacrifices made by earthly priests in that Christ knew no sin whereas the
earthly priests' sins had to be forgiven before they could make atonement for
the people. Earthly priests could not forgive sin whereas Jesus forgave sin. These
questions come to mind, What sacrifices are we willing to make as an expression
of gratitude for Christ's atoning work on our behalf? Are welling to deny
ourselves for the sake of the gospel of Christ?
The Service component of the
cross, which calls for self denial where Christ denied Himself as He served His
Father unto the cross and is now seated at the right hand of the Father where
He continues to serve making intercessions for mankind. Christ is our perfect
example of a servant who came to this earth not to be served, but to serve, and
serve He did. Christ met the needs (physical and spiritual) of the people while
here on earth and continues to do so while in heaven as His Spirit lives in
every believers. Believers, a line-item in our service record should read self
denial.
Do you see the three S's of the cross?
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