The Cross

By: John K Johnson

 

The Message of the Cross

 

The message of the cross is without question the main and central message of New Testament Christianity. Without the cross there is no reconciliation of man to a Holy God. It was not each of us that were crucified for our own sins, but it was the unblemished Son of God… Yeshua Hamashia (Jesus Christ). He was crucified in our place on the cruel cross. In FACT, those who truly study and learn the TaNaK (Tanakh/TANAKH), which is the ancient name for the Hebrew Bible (that we call the “Old Testament”), if they have an honest heart, will come to agree (thankfully) that the “cross” was established “before the foundation of the world (because the “lamb was slain before the foundation of the world” Rev 13:8) The book of Isaiah alone is full of reference to the “Moshiach/Messiah”. Those “before” Calvary looked to the same salvation that those after Calvary came to understand was for them, as well. It HAS ALWAYS been “salvation by faith” (I.E., Abraham, “believed God, and it was accounted/imputed unto him for righteousness” – Rom 4:3, Gal 3:6, James 2:23) and it has always been by YHVH’s (God’s/ Yahweh’s) grace alone that anyone is saved… this is not a New Testament idea or provision… The New Testament only reveals YHVH’s secrete plan, it does NOT originate it…

 

1 Cor 2:5-8

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. KJV

 

Paul the Apostle clearly declares the importance of the message of the cross.

 

1 Cor 1:17-18

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV)

 

We are also admonished by Peter in Acts 2:38 “to repent and be baptized” (every one of us), and that we must do. But Paul says he is sent to preach or “proclaim” the one message that is the most important. Paul is not saying baptism is not important, he is simply saying that the preaching of the cross is what God has called him to do. Without the cross there is no fellowship with God. Now, having this “New Testament revelation,” and because we KNOW this provision that YHVH has made, we now must come to Him only on His terms. His only term (or method) available is through Yeshua/Jesus Christ and His sacrificed life on the bloody cross on Mt. Calvary. The Bible tells us “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin” (Heb 9:22). Read Hebrews chapter 9 for more details.

 

Heb 9:12

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (KJV)

Heb 9:22

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (KJV)

 

Heb 9:28

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (KJV)

 

There is a spirit of evil power in the world that hates the person and message of the cross. The god of this world, Satan, (whom Yeshua/Jesus Christ defeated in His earthly walk and triumphed over at the cross), has had his evil dominion over mankind destroyed by the power of the message of the cross. Satan’s main weapon against man, in opposing YHVH/God, is that of carnal or intellectual reasoning. The entire picture of this stratagem is clearly explained by Paul in 1Cor 1:17 through 1Cor 2:16. You must read these scriptures and understand the importance of what Paul is teaching.

 

The message of the cross is devastating to the power of sin. It is the message of the love and endless grace of YHVH/God, who “Himself” became man (“son of man” Yeshua/Jesus) incarnate (John 1:14), surrendered Himself to unfathomable suffering, and was slain on a bloody hillside used for execution of the worst of offenders. The message of the cross is a message of hope and the substance of faith for “Believers in this message” everywhere because of the resurrected Yeshua. Paul says “that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1Cor 2:5). Men everywhere, of every race, tribe and culture are all drawn to the message of the cross… drawn by YHVH, and ONLY by Him:

 

John 6:44

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. KJV

 

AND… No Man Comes to YHVH other than by Yeshua:

 

John 14:6

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. KJV

 

All Are One Family “in Yeshua”

 

It is at the cross where all of mankind is reconciled to God. Jews and gentiles alike are all made one family by Yeshua’s death and resurrection. The cross was God’s plan to fulfill the requirements of the Law (Torah, Law of Moses given Israelites at Mt. Sinai) and start the work of one faith, in one Savior, for once and for all. All who believe in Yeshua as Lord and Savior are all made one in the Moshiach/Messiah. Yeshua “fulfilled the requirements of the Torah” (Law of Moses, or “instructions” of YHVH, otherwise we would ALL yet be lost.) Yeshua did NOT “do away, or destroy” the Law or Torah… It stands forever as Yeshua said:

 

Matt 5:17-19

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. KJV

 

Be careful with these next scriptures… often times, Paul’s teachings are misconstrued by either unlearned, misinformed, or “agenda driven” persons to infer or imply that the “Torah” is “Old Testament,” or “nailed to the cross,” or “for those Jews… etc.” Torah is THE “forever settled Word of YHVH,” Ps 119:89. It is eternal, everlasting and its truth and message are intended for all true Believers; no exceptions, if they want salvation in Yeshua… because since He IS the Word that became flesh Jn 1:1-14. The Word and Yeshua are ONE… the only Word that was then, and was able to become “flesh” was the Torah… The Torah, at Mt. Sinai, was given to “Israel,” not just “Jews,” who later (via tribe of Judah) were “keepers” of the oracles of God… a subject too lengthy for this article. Nevertheless, the Torah (written Torah/Instruction/Law) cannot save us; only the “living Torah,” Yeshua can “save” us. The written Torah is for our admonition for holy and righteous living… it is the “likeness” of the “bride” that Yeshua will receive at the “wedding feast” of the Lamb. It teaches us the “calendar” (festivals) of YHVH, so that we can understand the Prophecy of the Bible.  I can not emphasize the importance of one’s learning these Biblical facts too much. Now read Paul’s following teachings with the Spirit’s help in seeing them with the TaNaK as a “dictionary” of their meaning.

 

Eph 2:11-22

11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (KJV)

 

What Does it Mean to Be Saved… Saved from What?

 

The Word of God (especially the first five books of the Bible, are called the Law… also know as the “Torah.”) It is in these “instructions” (as our schoolmaster) on how to live and relate to a Holy God that we learn how deeply flawed, we as humans, are… we are an ugly and disgusting  conglomeration of profane nature, self-centered and rebellious, carnally opinionated creatures, who have inherited the fallen nature of our original “seed parents,” Adam and Eve… Who’s (serpent seed) sin, from their rebellion in the Garden of Eden, now born into us, and remains “in us,” until we repent (turn completely away from our sin… sin is any opposite nature or meaning of the Torah’s definition of holiness and righteousness). NO ONE IS EXEMPT! We must take responsibility for our sin and, with an honest and contrite heart, sincerely confess it to Yeshua (Jesus), repent, and ask Yeshua to forgive our sins and indwell us as His very own possession. This what is meant as being saved, “born from above/again,” and then we start our new walk with Yeshua as the Torah teaches us… any less response is an incomplete response. It is the “dying to self,” at the Cross of Yeshua, where we are empowered, by the Holy Spirit, and if we choose to follow Yeshua (Torah’s teachings) we begin growing into the likeness of HIM… as He taught and walked in the Bible. Proposed “Christian inner-healing” self-help programs mixed with carnal counseling  techniques (psychology) flavored with Bible scripture, and feel-good about yourself group therapy, asking a false Jesus into your heart, WILL NOT substitute for the “death of self-life” and truly repentant heart that determines to walk in Biblical obedience. This is the only place the grace of God enters in. Because it can only be on God’s terms. Any attempt to circumvent (alternative pathway) around the Torah’s way is disobedience, and is known in the Bible as the same as Witchcraft.

 

The Cross is a Place of Death, and a Place of Life

 

Yeshua came into the world for the purpose of giving His sinless life so we (all mankind) who were sinners could be saved (redeemed) by His blood that was shed for us on the cross. He came to die, the perfect for the imperfect, the godly for the ungodly. He also came knowing that beyond the cross was the throne of glory that YHVH/God the Father had prepared for Him. There is not time in this article for the discussion of this great story. Yeshua came to destroy the power of sin that rules the flesh and brings death, so that the power of the Spirit could give life to all who received the work that He did at the cross for them. It is at the cross where we come “just as we are,” to surrender our hearts (our innermost being), by voluntary will of our own choice (remember from above, we are “drawn” to Yeshua by the Father). We come in faith alone believing in the power of the cross to kill the old nature so we can have a new life in Yeshua Hamashia… eternal life. It is at the cross where we crucify the flesh and wisdom of man, the carnal nature, and by faith alone we must trust in Yeshua’s blood to save us. Paul said the following about this miracle of new life.

 

Gal 2:20

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV)

 

Death of the old nature of our lives is not an easy experience. The old nature dies very hard indeed. Yeshua taught many key points by using parables. The parable of the sower and the seed are very appropriate to this lesson on death of the old man at the cross, so the new man (Yeshua in us) can live. One scripture in particular is of importance.

 

John 12:24-25

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (KJV)

 

Any farmer knows that the seed that is in the barn does not produce much fruit. However, when we plant the seed in the ground (where it dies to its old form and nature), it becomes a new life-giving plant and produces much fruit. It is at the cross where we plant the old nature, the old man of the world, so that the new man of “Yeshua-likeness” can be raised up. When we arise from the place of the cross, we do not automatically have the natural ability to walk without old nature desires and temptations. However, we have the Word of God (Bible) and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to coach us and lead us into the upright ways of “Believers” living. (I hesitate to use the term “Christian” now days because of so many false “Jesus’” represented by “Christianity in the modern time,” and because of so many “Christian” doctrines that refute the Torah and very “likeness” of the real Yeshua/Jesus of the Bible). The sincere and truly born-again man has the life-giving Spirit of Yeshua indwelling him so he can make the right choices. The Spirit of Truth (Yeshua/living Word in us) and the “written” Word of God that we begin to read, study and memorize will never fail to inform us of the truth and upright way to walk. These will all be in “one” accord, without differing in any way. Any “spirit” that refutes the written Torah is a devil in disguise. It will be our choices that make us or break us. God did not make us to be robots without a personal/private will. It is the surrendered will that makes us the “slave” of the Moshiach/Messiah, as Paul calls himself a “slave.” When we acknowledge the blood of Yeshua as having redeemed us, we accept its terms of calling us to be true followers (disciples) of His. Yeshua is our master forever thereafter. You must once again go back up the page to Gal 2:20 and study and understand the full meaning of who you are as a Believer. If you do not accept these terms… your trip to the cross has only been a visit, not a death to self and new birth experience.

 

What about the “Much Fruit” that is to come?

 

Fruit comes from seed, and only from seed that is planted and has given up its own identity and form. It then goes through a gestation period and later is produced towards the end of its season. When a man is sincerely transformed at the cross by death to self, planting the old man in the ground (so to speak), he will also go though a gestation time. It is the life giving Word of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that causes the new man to come alive in Yeshua and through the unity (union) of that relationship, the fruit will come. Galatians 5:22-23 tell us of the type fruit we can certainly expect when the seed has surely been planted and the gestation time is nurtured with the fellowship of the Word and the Spirit. It is a “Law” of YHVH’s creation that everything “produces” after its own kind. You can not fool YHVH/God, you can perhaps to some extent fool people, but there is nothing but the consuming fire of YHVH’s judgment awaiting the “tares” or look-alike impostors that dare to tinker with YHVH’s commandments. Yeshua said, “if you love me keep my commandments,” Jn 14:15.  False teachers, charlatans and others who dare to tempt YHVH with selfish motives will soon come to the bitter end of their folly. The cross is serious place and a most holy place. Those who come there are truly on “Holy Ground.”

 

Who Bears the Cross?

 

When Yeshua was crucified the Roman soldiers compelled Simon (a bystander) to carry the cross to Golgotha’s hill (Mat 27:32). Yeshua had been so badly scourged and beaten that He physically was unable to support the massive timbers that the cross was constructed of (typically in the Roman model, it was the top, or “cross” beam, that was carried, as most execution places had the vertical post in place). Simon was able to bear the cross in behalf of Yeshua. Today, a different kind of cross is before us. Unlike Simon, we are compelled to bear the “cross” by a calling of a spiritual nature. Yeshua calls us to bear the cross of “identity” with Him.

 

Matt 10:38-39

38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (KJV)

 

It is at the cross that we lose our life for Yeshua, and it is at the cross that we find real life as YHVH intended for us to have… eternal life in the Moshiach/Messiah. The cross, that Yeshua refers to in verse 38, can only be carried by faith in Him. Flesh muscle and brawn that Simon had to exert to carry Yeshua’s cross will not work with the cross of Mat 10:38.  Only those who have laid down their own self-life at the cross can carry the cross that Yeshua says must be “taken” and then follow after Him. There will be times when mockers will call on us to “come down” from the cross we have chosen to bear. Unbelievers who tormented and mocked Yeshua during His trials and sufferings are not unlike the same kind of people today, who all are influenced by the spirit of this world. They do not understand the message of the cross, as Paul said, “it is foolishness to them” 1Cor 1:18. They do not even know who Yeshua is in the same understanding that a born-again believer has.

 

Matt 27:39-43

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. KJV

 

Unless someone has been to the cross and died to their own self-life, they will never understand the one who believes in the eternal life and power of the cross of Yeshua. Remember, this was YHVH’s “mystery of the ages,” that He had ordained before the foundation of the world… (see above ref. 1Cor 2:5-8).

 

Who Needs the Message of the Cross?

 

Everyone. First, all men need the salvation that only comes from the message of the cross and Yeshua’s vicarious death. His life was substituted for ours. The life we now live, with all its trials and difficulties, is made more meaningful and fuller of joy and love when we understand the message of the cross. Beyond that, the message of the cross is the only hope for sinners condemned to eternal hell without Yeshua’s redeeming blood being applied to their hearts. There are many that are so entangled in their own perspective of their circumstances that they are blind to any way out of their dilemmas. It is no surprise that drug and alcohol addictions as well as criminal and destructive lifestyles are so powerfully able to capture their victims. They only see through carnal eyes that are forever blinded to the message of the cross. Likewise, failing marriages and broken relationships are trapped in self-life perspective. There are so many, but perhaps the best list is in the book of Galatians, where Paul the Apostle is teaching about the “fruit of the Spirit.” These “destructive addictions” could be called the fruit of the “un-holy spirit” (god of this world).

 

Gal 5:19-21

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)

 

These are the result of seeing life only through the self-life or gratification of the flesh, that being the nature of sin, with the end result being death. There are really two deaths; one is the familiar death of the man or natural body. The other, real death is separation from YHVH/God, the Creator, who created us for fellowship with Him for all eternity. It is the message of the cross that provides us with opportunity for life (both here and hereafter). Life in Yeshua preserves us both bodily and spiritually. Yes, it is at the cross where man comes to die to self, so he can have real life in the Moshiach Yeshua. One of the greatest enemies of man is that of “thinking” we have everything, or that we don’t need Yeshua… for whatever reason. “Thinking” of the natural man was man’s undoing in the Garden of Eden, where man reasoned his way into sin. The journey to the cross is the way home… to life eternal. Yeshua bids you come; you do not know when you will die. We must understand what Paul said when he spoke of “heavenly” or eternal things. The self-life will have us focus on the “earthly” or temporary things.

 

2 Cor 4:18

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (KJV)

 

What are you looking at? If you are offended by the message of the cross, you are yet being summoned to come to the cross and die to self, and receive new life in Yeshua. Unless the preaching of godly men offends your carnal reason, they fail to speak the uncompromising Word of God. God’s Word will always confront the man who is living in sin. God’s Word is forever sent to do just that.

 

Heb 4:12-16

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)

 

We all need Yeshua; He surely understands our most private thoughts and motives. We truly are “naked” before Him. His substitute death for you and me on the cruel and bloody cross was by purpose of God the Father, so that we may be redeemed. The great message of the cross is:

 

John 3:16-21

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (KJV)

 

Sometimes We Must Return to the Cross.

 

When believers have problems that need addressed, that only the slaying of the self-will can remedy, then it is time to return to the cross. Believers are not perfect (yet they are perfect in Yeshua), but they are “under construction.” Until Yeshua returns (second coming) or until we go to be with Him in glory, we must continually deal with the old nature that tries to enslave us to sin’s fetters. For example, pride, unforgiveness, anger, lust, and a host of other old nature pitfalls try to trap us into falling into their grip. When the Holy Spirit faithfully convicts us of some of these things working their way into our life, it is time to get on our face before YHVH/God and repent and ask forgiveness and ask Yeshua to help us get back on the straight and narrow path. He is more than able to do His part, but we must be “willing” to continually put to death the old man in us so Satan has no “occasion” to trash our lives. We not only may need to put to death (more than once, sometimes often) some of the old nature reoccurrences, but we may need to seek forgiveness of someone else, or make something right that only we can do. Yes, the cross is truly a place of new life. However, it is first a place of death of the old nature. If you have never been to the cross to receive Yeshua’s redemption of your soul, you must come now. You may never have another chance to come. You do not want to die without being born-again in the likeness of the Yeshua of the Bible. Come now, and repent of your sins, receive Yeshua and eternal life. If you are already a Believer, what is it that the Holy Spirit is convicting you of that you need to return to the cross to get straightened out? Come now, waiting is not only disobedient, but it is costing you abundant life by allowing Satan to enter into some if not more than one area of your life. Demons and evil spirits are looking for openings (occasions) in Believer’s lives to keep them from God’s best for them. This is where the Torah is specific; obedience to Yeshua’s likeness (Torah identity) is what benefits Believers… as is expressed in Deut 30:19:

 

19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: KJV

 

It is a “written” Biblical fact; Blessings come from “obedience,” as in “if you love me keep my commandments.” And Curses come from disdain for the Torah… read Deut. Chapter 28 for a more thorough picture of the facts. Now, if you think Torah fact is not for today, why was it referenced as the only “it is written” response that Yeshua quoted from when rebuking the devil (Mat  Chpt 4, Luke Chpt 4) in his attempt to snag Him into self-serving sin? Is not “self” interest man’s motive for disobedience to the Torah? The Cross is YHVH’s cure for sin’s power… without the Cross, sin overcomes humanity. Yeshua, the living Torah is our Salvation… The written Torah is our “guard rail” from Satan’s temptations, and disastrous results if we comply with sin … that is, if we “keep it.” Remember, the Bible says: “… for sin is the transgression of the Torah (law) 1Jn 3:4b.

 

Shalom… Praise YHVH for the Cross!

 

Recommended Related Article: "Understanding Salvation"

 

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