“The Cross Affects Everything” explores how God, Satan, and all of us were changed forever on Good Friday.
The cross of Jesus is a familiar symbol to believers and non-believers alike. If you’re on the nonbeliever side of the fence, the cross seems dramatic and gruesome. I can understand your perspective if I was standing in your shoes.
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
Or perhaps you are a believer trying to help an unbeliever understand the power of the cross. Like me, you may be a believer trying to understand the reasoning behind the cross.
Like why did salvation have to be earned through this tragic event? Wasn’t there an easier way? One that didn’t require torture and crucifixion? With these questions, I leaned with interest into a live Facebook devotional message presented by Pastor Aaron Davitch from Hosanna Church. This message opened my eyes to the multifaceted effect the cross has on God, on Satan, and on us. Here’s my summarized version of this informative message:
The Cross Affects Everything
How the Cross Affects Us
The cross affects our perception of who God is. He is not a distant uncaring supreme ruler. God is an intimate Father who sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us. It is this level of love that fills the deep longing we feel which can never be met by human relationships. A longing meant only to be filled by God.
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8
How the Cross Affects Satan:
The cross affects Satan by defeating his ultimate reign over sin and death. This is a victory only Jesus could win because His power is greater than Satan’s power. No longer do we battle alone against the evil of this world and in our hearts. Instead, we fight from a place of Christ’s victory.
“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” Hebrews 2:14
How the Cross Affects God:
The cross affects God by satisfying the price of sin. God’s righteousness requires that everyone rise to the glory of His standard. This standard is impossible for us to achieve. Fortunately, God allowed Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin. This means we no longer need to strive for worthiness, which is such a relief. Instead, we stand in the righteousness Jesus has already earned for us.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:23-24
In summary, the Good Friday crucifixion is much more than an event on the Christian calendar. More than the solemn sacrifice before the exuberant event of Easter. The cross opens our eyes to the deep abiding love of God. Through Jesus’ selfless sacrifice, the cross defeats evil and death. As a result, God sees us as blameless because the debt for sin is satisfied. In essence, the cross affects everything. Thank God for that!
Jesus, we are grateful beyond words that You gave Your life on the cross in exchange for ours. This was the only way to defeat Satan and death. Help us remember in all our struggles that we fight from a place of Your victory. Thank You for making us right again in the Father’s eyes through Your sacrifice. Guide us by Your Spirit so we can be an Easter Sunday people in this Good Friday world. Amen.
An Easter people in a Good Friday world. Amen Cathy😇