God's Love
Originally scheduled for May 12
Romans 5:6-8
Sometimes it is good to remember the overwhelming details of the
atonement which Christ accomplished at the Cross.
We may
begin with the word WHO. Just exactly who was it that was sacrificed
on the cross?
· We must
begin by remembering that this is God in the flesh — the incarnation
of the great “I Am” of the Old Testament.
·
We may also recall that he is the creator of all things, the great
artist of the universe. Our reality is his by right of creation.
· He is also the King of
Kings and Lord of Lords who will one day put all his enemies under
his feet, including death.
Then we may recall that he did not
just come as a teacher to instruct us — He DIED for us.
·
Despite his prayers to his Father, asking to have the cup taken from
him, he went to his death. He could’ve left his disciples there and
ascended into heaven at that point, but he chose his Father’s will.
· His death — and he knew
it — would be extremely painful and extremely humiliating, the death
on the cross.
· The
purpose of this death was to redeem us. It was not a sacrifice on
behalf of the noble and righteous, but for sinners.
Yes, the
purpose of the atonement was to redeem SINNERS.
·
Some of those sinners were the people who were crucifying him. Of
these, he said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they
do.”
· Not one of us is
worthy of his sacrifice. Christ never made any attempt to sort out
worthy sinners from unworthy sinners. He died for all.
·
In so doing he obtained not only our pardon, but also our
reconciliation with God the Father.
What appropriate response
does the Christian have to this sacrifice?
·
We should worship him with thanksgiving and praise!
·
We should proclaim his death, burial and resurrection to others.
But both of these start with remembering what he did.
That’s
why we have communion; to remember what he did for us. “In
remembrance of me take this cup.” And what is it that we are to
remember? The elements of communion tell us. We are to remember his
body being broken for us as we partake of the bread. We are to
remember his blood shed for us as we take the cup. We are to do this
until he returns to judge the living and the dead. Remembrance looks
back; communion also looks forward to his return. Ponder these
things so that you may take this symbolic meal in a worthy manner.
