The Meaning of the Cross, Day 32

Welcome to Day 32 of our series, “40 Days of the Cross.” Each day we are taking just a few minutes to look at a word which will help us better understand the meaning of the cross. Today’s word is mystery. 

Jesus’ message and His sacrifice on the cross were a mystery to those that the world might consider wise. In his second letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul is reminding them that when he was with them, he preached the message of the cross. He told them that this message of the cross, demonstrated with the Spirit and with power, imparted wisdom to them, but to the rulers of the world, it was a mystery. In 2 Corinthians 2:7-8, Paul writes, “But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.”
 

Although the mystery was revealed to those who would believe, it was still a mystery to those who would not accept the teaching and the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. But you know, even for those of us who believe, there is still some mystery surrounding the cross. What I mean is, how did it all work? We know that Jesus became a sin offering for us. How did that work? How does His sacrifice appease the wrath of God? How does the shedding of His blood on the cross remove our sinfulness and make us holy? To be honest, I’m not exactly sure how it works. Oh, but friends, I know it does. 

I know it does, because the Bible tells me it does. The Bible tells me that Jesus became a sin offering for me, and you. You and I, we don’t have to know the mechanics of how that worked in order for us to accept it and benefit from His sacrifice on the cross. The benefits of the cross are not based on my understanding. Some aspects of the cross will remain a mystery to me. But I don’t have to have it all figured out. I just know that through the cross, my sins are forgiven and I can surrender my burdens to Him. We’ll talk more about burden tomorrow. 

Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, I don’t understand everything about the cross, but I see you glorified through it, and I rejoice at the forgiveness I have received. Thank you, Father. In the name of Jesus, amen. 

Thanks for reading today. Please take some time to think about the mystery of the cross, and submit to the power of love and forgiveness that the cross shows us.

Continued tomorrow