The Meaning of the Cross, part 3

Welcome to our third day of our “40 Days of the Cross” series.

Each day we are taking just a few minutes to look at a word which will help us better understand the meaning of the cross. Today’s word is forgiveness. Forgiveness isn’t always looked at as a virtue these days. I’ve seen it on TV talk shows and Facebook memes - why would you forgive someone who is probably going to hurt you again? Why would you forgive someone who doesn’t deserve it?

I understand why people feel that way: forgiveness isn’t easy. When we are hurt, the natural response is to close ourselves to that person, or perhaps even hurt them back. But that is not God’s response. Although He is under no obligation to us, God forgives us. And the cross is God’s instrument of forgiveness. Romans 8:1 says “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ.” Why, even when Jesus hung on the cross, He looked at His accusers and executioners around Him and said, “Father, forgive them.”
 

The cross is God’s instrument of forgiveness because it was on the cross that the sacrifice was paid for our sins. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. The cross is the place where Jesus shed His blood. That blood was shed for us. The cross moved from being an instrument of execution to becoming an instrument of forgiveness in God’s hands.
 

I am so thankful for God’s forgiveness. I know that I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The Bible says that all of us have. We are all broken. All of us were separated from God because of our sins. But the cross makes it possible for God to forgive us. How about you? Have you confessed your sinfulness to God? Or do they still separate you from His presence? If you have never confessed your sins and given your life over to God before, today can be the day that God uses the cross as an instrument of forgiveness in your life.
 

It’s a promise from God. 1 John 1:9 says that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God says it’s the just thing to do. (We’ll talk more about justice tomorrow.) If you’d like more information about giving your life to God, feel free to contact us at the church or click on this link.
 

After we pray, I encourage you to spend a little time in meditation and prayer thinking about the cross as God’s instrument of forgiveness.
 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the forgiveness that was purchased for us by the shedding of Jesus’ blood in His death on the cross. May we grow in our understanding of that forgiveness and how it affects our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
 

Continued tomorrow