Some Thoughts on the Cross of Christ

The crucifixion is the central truth of the Christian faith. This can be seen in the writings of Paul. 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 is a good example of this. Here Paul says that it is of “first importance” and that it is that “by which also you are saved.” Hence, it is absolutely central and essential to the Christian faith and is the truth that is most central to the gospel.

The crucifixion was foretold in the Old Testament. Jesus quotes Psalm 22 when He is being crucified. The reason for this is that Psalm 22 is a detailed foretelling of Christ’s death. This includes the lament, “They pierced my hands and my feet (22:16) and And for my clothing they cast lots. Similarly, Isaiah 53 declares that he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” (v.5). These prophecies show the importance of the crucifixion in that it had been a central part of God’s divine plan in history.

The crucifixion was God’s chief purpose for the incarnation. This is evident in Mark 10:45 where Jesus says that He came “to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The significance of the crucifixion is that it illustrates both the fullness of God’s love and the fullness of God’s justice and wrath. That it demonstrates God’s love can be seen in Romans 5:8. And we know that the degree to which God’s love is demonstrated in the cross is of the utmost because Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13). Yet it also demonstrates God’s justice. This can be seen in Rom 3:25 where God is said to have demonstrated His righteousness by making Christ a propitiation.

Many people have misunderstood (and continue to misunderstand) the meaning of the crucifixion. Some have understood it to mean that Christ’s death was a ransom paid to Satan for the souls of men who are held in bondage by Satan. Satan accepted this payment not knowing that Christ would be resurrected. Satan was then left with nothing. Still others have maintained that the atonement was a payment for the sin of mankind who have failed to give God the honor He is due as God. The problem with this is that it doesn’t take into account that man’s sin is not only against God’s majesty, rather it is also against His love. Another false theory of the atonement is the moral influence theory. This theory says that Jesus death serves as an example over and against the example of Adam. Jesus’ life, including his death, is to be an example for us. It is the ultimate example of how a person is to live in such a way as to fulfill what God requires. Another related theory says that Jesus’ death serves as an example as a martyr. In the same way that Christ died for his convictions, mankind ought to have and live by such strong convictions. Another theory of the atonement is the governmental theory. In this theory, God is the supreme authority. As the supreme authority, His laws are to be obeyed. However, men have not obeyed God’s law. Therefore, God inflicts his wrath for transgression on Jesus in order to illustrate to the world the seriousness of the offense so that men might be more inclined to keep these laws. And then there is the accident theory. This theory says that Jesus death was an accident. Jesus was a mere man who went to far. For this he paid the ultimate price.

The central truth of the atonement is explained in the penal substitutionary view of the atonement. Here God is holy and demands that the sins of mankind be punished. But He has determined to save some from this punishment. Christ’s death is understood to be substitutionary in that Christ dies on behalf of the elect. This can be seen in Isaiah 53 and 2 Cor 5:21. Christ took upon Himself the wrath of God on behalf of those who would believe on Him. He was reckoned a sinner that those who believe might be reckoned as righteous.