We celebrate Good Friday because we consider the Cross of Jesus Christ to be the glorious heart of the Gospel.
How is Christ’s Cross glorious? Christ’s Cross is observed to be glorious in at least nine ways from this passage in John’s Gospel (12:23-36). Notice that Jesus Christ Himself says that His Cross is glorious, at the very beginning.
1. Accomplishes the purpose of Jesus’ life and ministry.
He was sent for this very hour. This is the culmination, the climax, of His ministry. His experience of the wrath of God upon His soul and body, His spiritual agony, was for us. He established the New Covenant by His very own blood. He atoned for our sin as our substitute--for the glory of God.
2. Bears much fruit in the salvation of many people.
He would die for the sins of His people, to actually save them, redeem them for God. These are the elect of God, Jew and Gentile, all around the world, and all throughout history. Many would believe on Him for salvation. From one seed would come a multitude of harvest--for the glory of God.
3. Sets a pattern of true discipleship for Christians.
Jesus suffered in obedience to God. Jesus lived a life of righteousness. We too “hate” our life here so as to keep life for eternity, taking up our cross and following Him to be with Him. Jesus gave Himself for the salvation of others--for the glory of God.
4. Brings great glory and honor to God the Father -- “Father, glorify your name.”
Jesus glorified the Father by offering Himself upon the Cross a sacrifice for His people. God the Father glorified God the Son by accepting His sacrifice; and granting Him the salvation of His people, which in turn also glorifies the Father. Jesus obeyed and kept the eternal covenant of redemption--for the glory of God.
5. Defeats Satan and his purposes.
Jesus invaded the realm of the devil (by His Incarnation and Ministry) who rules the world in darkness, deception, and evil; and cast him out (by His Cross); and will eventually destroy him in hell (at His Return). Jesus is the victor at the Cross, for He secured the redemption of His people. Jesus saved His people out of bondage to the evil one and sin--for the glory of God.
6. Judges the world in its unrighteousness.
The world is under the domination of sin. The world displayed its evil in crucifying the Son of God. Those of the world in its unbelief and unrighteousness will yet be judged--for the glory of God.
7. Vindicates the identity and mission of Jesus as Messiah, Savior -- of “all people.”
The voice out of heaven came to declare once again the true Sonship and Messiahship of Jesus. As the Divine Messiah, He will save many multitudes from among all the peoples of earth. The elect of God will be drawn to salvation by the very glory of the Cross--for the glory of God.
8. Anticipates the resurrection of Jesus, the Crucified One -- “The Christ remains forever.”
Jesus would be lifted up on the Cross; and He would be lifted up in the resurrection and glory. In three days, Jesus will rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and be exalted on high. The anticipation continues unto the hope of final glory in the New Heavens and New Earth. And those who share in this glory of Christ are His people--for the glory of God.
9. Becomes the focus of our faith -- “While you have the light believe.”
We love Jesus Christ because of His beauty as the Son of God and Messiah. We love Jesus Christ because He first loved us. If you do not know the love of Christ in your own soul, now is the time to believe, while you can see the glory of Jesus in the Gospel told you. Waiting to believe is waiting for darkness to come and seal you in your unbelief. We express our love for Him by faith in Him and His Cross--for the glory of God.
Good Friday is ultimately about rejoicing in the Cross of Christ because it is the Glory of God and our salvation! We most certainly are humbled because we are the very sinners whose sin required such a horrendous event. And yet, in order to truly and fully honor the Cross of Christ, we must fill out our perspective with the real joy, and not just the solemnity, of the event.
How is Christ’s Cross glorious? Christ’s Cross is observed to be glorious in at least nine ways from this passage in John’s Gospel (12:23-36). Notice that Jesus Christ Himself says that His Cross is glorious, at the very beginning.
John 12:23–28a ESV “And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.””The Cross of Christ is glorious in that it . . .
1. Accomplishes the purpose of Jesus’ life and ministry.
He was sent for this very hour. This is the culmination, the climax, of His ministry. His experience of the wrath of God upon His soul and body, His spiritual agony, was for us. He established the New Covenant by His very own blood. He atoned for our sin as our substitute--for the glory of God.
2. Bears much fruit in the salvation of many people.
He would die for the sins of His people, to actually save them, redeem them for God. These are the elect of God, Jew and Gentile, all around the world, and all throughout history. Many would believe on Him for salvation. From one seed would come a multitude of harvest--for the glory of God.
3. Sets a pattern of true discipleship for Christians.
Jesus suffered in obedience to God. Jesus lived a life of righteousness. We too “hate” our life here so as to keep life for eternity, taking up our cross and following Him to be with Him. Jesus gave Himself for the salvation of others--for the glory of God.
4. Brings great glory and honor to God the Father -- “Father, glorify your name.”
Jesus glorified the Father by offering Himself upon the Cross a sacrifice for His people. God the Father glorified God the Son by accepting His sacrifice; and granting Him the salvation of His people, which in turn also glorifies the Father. Jesus obeyed and kept the eternal covenant of redemption--for the glory of God.
John 12:28b–33 ESV “Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it [by Christ’s ministry], and I will glorify it again [by Christ’s death].” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”The Cross of Christ is glorious in that it . . .
5. Defeats Satan and his purposes.
Jesus invaded the realm of the devil (by His Incarnation and Ministry) who rules the world in darkness, deception, and evil; and cast him out (by His Cross); and will eventually destroy him in hell (at His Return). Jesus is the victor at the Cross, for He secured the redemption of His people. Jesus saved His people out of bondage to the evil one and sin--for the glory of God.
6. Judges the world in its unrighteousness.
The world is under the domination of sin. The world displayed its evil in crucifying the Son of God. Those of the world in its unbelief and unrighteousness will yet be judged--for the glory of God.
7. Vindicates the identity and mission of Jesus as Messiah, Savior -- of “all people.”
The voice out of heaven came to declare once again the true Sonship and Messiahship of Jesus. As the Divine Messiah, He will save many multitudes from among all the peoples of earth. The elect of God will be drawn to salvation by the very glory of the Cross--for the glory of God.
John 12:34–36a ESV “So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.””The Cross of Christ is glorious in that it . . .
8. Anticipates the resurrection of Jesus, the Crucified One -- “The Christ remains forever.”
Jesus would be lifted up on the Cross; and He would be lifted up in the resurrection and glory. In three days, Jesus will rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and be exalted on high. The anticipation continues unto the hope of final glory in the New Heavens and New Earth. And those who share in this glory of Christ are His people--for the glory of God.
9. Becomes the focus of our faith -- “While you have the light believe.”
We love Jesus Christ because of His beauty as the Son of God and Messiah. We love Jesus Christ because He first loved us. If you do not know the love of Christ in your own soul, now is the time to believe, while you can see the glory of Jesus in the Gospel told you. Waiting to believe is waiting for darkness to come and seal you in your unbelief. We express our love for Him by faith in Him and His Cross--for the glory of God.
Good Friday is ultimately about rejoicing in the Cross of Christ because it is the Glory of God and our salvation! We most certainly are humbled because we are the very sinners whose sin required such a horrendous event. And yet, in order to truly and fully honor the Cross of Christ, we must fill out our perspective with the real joy, and not just the solemnity, of the event.
No comments:
Post a Comment