Without the Cross, humanity would have no opportunity to inherit eternal salvation.
The Cross of Jesus Christ is one of the most potent symbols in human history. It represents love, sacrifice, redemption, and ultimate victory. At its core, the message of the Cross is God’s answer to sin, suffering, and the separation between humanity and Himself. The significance of the Cross lies not in the wooden beams upon which Jesus died but in what it accomplished: the salvation of humanity.
This article’s sermon examines the profound power of the Cross and its enduring impact on our salvation, grounded in the authority of Scripture. By examining key biblical passages, both prophetic and fulfilled, we get an in-depth look at how the Cross changed everything.
1. The Prophetic Foundation of the Cross
Prophets foretold the Cross long before Jesus walked the earth. God had a plan of redemption, and the Messiah’s suffering was central to that plan.
Isaiah 53:5-6 (KJV) declares:
“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. All we, like sheep, have gone astray, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
These prophetic words reveal that Jesus would suffer, not for His sin, because He was sinless, but for ours. The Cross was always God’s plan to redeem fallen humanity.
Psalm 22:16-18 (KJV) further prophesies the crucifixion:
“They pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.”
These words, written centuries before Christ’s birth, detail events fulfilled exactly during Jesus’ crucifixion, as described in John 19:23-24. The piercing of His hands and feet and the soldiers casting lots for His garments were not coincidences—they were fulfillments of God’s redemptive plan.
Zechariah 12:10 (KJV) predicts the sorrow that will arise when people finally come to understand what has occurred.
“They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him…”
This mourning reflects deep conviction—a realization of what was required to save us.
2. The Fulfillment: Jesus’ Death on the Cross
The Gospels vividly record the crucifixion of Jesus. The suffering He endured was not only physical but spiritual, bearing the full weight of humanity’s sin.
Matthew 27:32-56 and Mark 15:21-41 give detailed accounts of His journey to Calvary, His mockers, and the supernatural events surrounding His death. Darkness covered the land, the temple veil was torn, and even Roman soldiers recognized, “Truly, this was the Son of God.”
With one criminal crucified beside Him, Luke 23:26-49 presents a decisive moment. Even in agony, Jesus offers salvation:
“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 KJV)
This act of mercy powerfully shows that even in the face of death, the Cross embodies mercy and redemption.
John 19:16-37 records the last moments of Jesus’ life:
“One soldier with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith there came out blood and water.” (John 19:34 KJV)
Every detail, down to the piercing of His side, was a fulfillment of Scripture. It was not just an execution—it was the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world.
3. The Meaning and Power of the Cross
So, what does the Cross mean for us today?
a) The Cross is the Power of God
1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) proclaims:
“To those who perish, the preaching of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are saved, it is the power of God.”
To the unbelieving world, the Cross may seem like a weakness, but in truth, it is a divine power that overcomes sin, death, and hell. The Cross changes lives because it reconciles us with our Creator.
b) The Cross is the Source of Boasting
Galatians 6:14 (KJV) says:
“But God forbid I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
All human accomplishments pale compared to what Jesus accomplished on the Cross. It’s where justice and mercy meet. It’s where sinners become saints.
c) The Cross Cancels Our Debt
Colossians 2:14-15 (NKJV) explains:
“Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that were against us, which was contrary to us. And Jesus has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the Cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
God triumphantly resolved all legal accusations against us through the Cross, disarming Satan and ultimately vanquishing the power of sin. This divine act liberated us from guilt and restored our relationship with Him, ushering in a new era of hope and freedom. The Cross serves not as a symbol of defeat but as a powerful declaration of victory.
d) The Cross Is Obedience unto Death
Philippians 2:8 (KJV) testifies:
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Jesus’ death was not a random act—it was an act of supreme obedience to the Father’s will, demonstrating to us what genuine humility and submission honestly look like.
4. The Result of the Cross: Salvation for Humanity
a) Jesus Died for Us While We Were Sinners
Romans 5:8 (KJV):
“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Christ’s death on the Cross is the most authentic expression of love—an unwavering affection that embraces us even amidst our rebellion, extending grace and warmth when we are at our most defiant.
b) Reconciliation through the Cross
Ephesians 2:16 (KJV):
“That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross…”
The Cross reconciles us to God and brings unity among people. Jews and Gentiles, men and women, every tribe and nation—brought together by the blood of Jesus.
c) Our Sins Carried Away
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV):
“Whom his self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…”
He took what we deserved—our punishment, our guilt—and carried it to the Cross so we could live in freedom and righteousness.
5. The Cross Calls for a Personal Response
The Cross is not merely a historical event—it demands a response. Jesus said in John 3:14-15 (KJV):
“As Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Just as the Israelites looked upon the bronze serpent to be healed, we must look to Jesus, who is lifted on the Cross, for salvation.
a) Conviction and Repentance
When Peter preached about the crucifixion in Acts 2:23 (NKJV), he said:
“Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;” the people were cut to the heart, asking, “What shall we do?” The Cross brings conviction, showing us our need for a Savior.
b) Bold Proclamation
The apostles did not shy away from declaring the Cross. In Acts 5:30 (KJV):
“The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.”
They spoke boldly because they knew the Cross was the only way to salvation.
c) Joy in Enduring for the Cross
Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) encourages us:
“Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that God set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus saw beyond the suffering. He saw the joy of redeemed lives, restored relationships, and a reconciled creation. He endured, and now He calls us to carry our own Cross and follow Him.
Conclusion: The Cross Is Everything
The Cross of Jesus Christ represents the greatest act of God’s sacrificial love in history and holds profound eternal significance. It signifies when mercy triumphs over judgment—a pivotal point where God intersects with humanity, reconciling Himself with the humans He created in His image. This event marks the defeat of sin and death, ushering in a vibrant new hope. Through the Cross, we receive the profound gifts of forgiveness and reconciliation, which guide us in our earthly lives and assure us of eternal life as we journey toward redemption and restoration.
If you’ve never truly looked to the Cross, it is time. It is not just a symbol to wear but a power to live by. As 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, to those who believe, it is the power of God.
Let us boast only of the Cross. We preach, live, and cling to the Cross’s power, the gospel’s heart, and its eternal impact on our salvation.