During the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge at the height of World War II, Desmond Doss, a medic with the American forces, saved the lives of almost 100 men. Painstakingly and under constant fire he lowered these men over the ridge to safety.
Doss’s courage won him a number of accolades, but perhaps the most significant lesson to be gleaned from his profound act of bravery is his willingness to risk his own life to save the lives of others.
Doss’s love for his fellow men was a reflection of the love that Jesus revealed for us on the cross. A love that led Him to leave the comforts of heaven and to brave the hostility of a planet in rebellion in order to die for the very rebels who sought His life.
Let’s take a quick look at what the Bible has to say about the cross of Jesus and what it means for us today.
Fact number 1. Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin.
The Bible says: “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:9.
Fact number 2. When we accept Jesus as our saviour we receive grace and righteousness.
The Bible says: “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17.
Fact number 3. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross also leads to the forgiveness of our sins.
The Bible says: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7.
Fact number 4. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and saviour, we are free from condemnation and at peace with God.
The Bible says: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.
Fact number 5. We receive the forgiveness of God when we confess our sins.
The Bible says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” 1 John 1:9.
Fact number 6. When we accept Jesus as our saviour, He gives us a new heart.
The Bible says: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (Hebrews 8:10)
Fact number 7. Through Jesus’ death on the cross we have the gift of eternal life.
The Bible says: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 6:23)
Fact number 8. Through His death on the cross Jesus is able to help us overcome our sins.
The Bible says: “ For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
Fact number 9. The cross of Jesus reconciles us back to God, restoring our relationship with Him.
The Bible says: “… that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 2:19)
And finally, fact number 10. Through the cross of Jesus we can become a new creation.
The Bible says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
So, there they are – 10 important facts about the meaning of the cross.
1. Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin.
2. When we accept Jesus as our saviour we receive grace and righteousness.
3. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross leads to the forgiveness of our sins.
4. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and saviour, we are free from condemnation and at peace with God.
5. We receive the forgiveness of God when we confess our sins.
6. When we accept Jesus as our saviour, He gives us a new heart.
7. Through Jesus’ death on the cross we have the gift of eternal life.
8. Through His death on the cross Jesus is able to help us overcome our sins.
9. The cross of Jesus reconciles us back to God, restoring our relationship with Him.
10. Through the cross of Jesus we can become a new creation.
There are times when we wish that life came equipped with an undo button. A small switch that we could flick so that we could undo the bad choices we made, take back the unkind words we said or relive a situation we could have handled better.
That is just what Jesus offers us; a second chance. An opportunity to start again. But that isn’t all; He also offers us wisdom and power to do better. Is that something you would like to experience in your life? Not just a new beginning, but a new heart? Why not choose to give your life to Jesus today?
