As I reflect on my upbringing, the captivating tale of Jesus coming to earth and sacrificing Himself on the cross to redeem us from our sins was a story I encountered frequently. It was a grand and awe-inspiring story. As I grew older, I encountered teachings that explored the significance of Jesus work on the cross.
As believers, we often grasp the surface-level meaning behind the truths of this story, yet fail to ponder the profound implications they carry. In doing so, we unintentionally overlook the profound impact of Jesus’ complete work on the cross.
Today, We delve into two facets of the cross, allowing ourselves to fully embrace and be transformed by the comprehensive work of Jesus, which has the power to purify and sanctify, and continually transform our hearts.
The First Side
Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
When we contemplate the significance of the cross, we are confronted with Jesus’ sacrificial death for our sins—those offenses we commit against God and our fellow humans.
He willingly endured wounds for our transgressions and bruises for our iniquities. Such a powerful truth!
The book of Romans, chapter 3, reminds us that every one of us has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. None can escape this reality. We all must take responsibility for our sins, acknowledging them before God (confession), and sincerely turning away from them (repentance).
Through this process, we invite the purifying blood of Christ to wash us, making us whiter than snow.This is the essence of the gospel, the good news of salvation for our world. And indeed, it is exceedingly good news!
The Second Side
Isaiah 53:4 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted“
These verses reveal another profound aspect of the cross. Jesus’ purpose was not only to save us from our sins but also to bear our griefs and carry our sorrows.
He came to bring healing from the wounds inflicted upon us by others. Jesus deeply cares about the hurtful words spoken against us. He is concerned about the actions people have taken to harm us. He empathizes with the pain residing in our hearts.
We may try to deny or gloss over these experiences, but doing so only hinders the transformative work God desires to accomplish in our hearts. When we honestly acknowledge how others have hurt, betrayed, abused, or mistreated us—regardless of the magnitude of the harm—big or small. It opens the way for Jesus to carry that burden for us. He earnestly desires to bring healing into our lives.
Listen to Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 When he reads about himself as prophesied by Isaiah.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Did you catch that? Jesus proclaims the Gospel to the poor, Spiritually heals the brokenhearted, delivers the captives, restores sight to the blind, and sets free the oppressed.
Jesus came not only to address our own sins but also to provide healing for the wounds inflicted upon us by the sins of others.
Why? It is because of His immense love, a love we don’t deserve and yet, he continues pursuing us.
🟡 Have you pondered both sides of the cross ?
🟡 Is there any side of the cross that you are minimizing today?
🟡 Will you let Jesus permeate both sides today?
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