Cross Examine: What Happened on the Cross?

“The crucifixion didn’t become common in art until all who had seen a real one died off.” –C.S. Lewis

1. At the cross, our guilt is declared pardoned.
Confess your guilt and accept His pardon.
2. At the cross, Jesus’ blood gives us life.
Be shepherds of the church of God, which he [Jesus] bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22)

Through Jesus’ blood, you can have new life.

3. Through the cross, the grave is overthrown.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:51-54)

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13 NLT)

Because of the cross, we have hope.

4. At the cross, we see the measure of God’s love for us.

Cross = Love

No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded. (John 10:18 NLT)

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

5. The cross brings people to a decision.

God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)