Ten Lost Meanings? prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW, Victoria, Canada
The suffering and death of Jesus of Nazareth on a Roman cross near Jerusalem, is the centre of Christian faith, and at the centre of the cross is the love of God. This and other meanings and implications of the cross are found throughout the early Christian body of literature. The following are examples: 1. The Power of God 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 2. Peace with God ….the punishment that brought us peace was on him.- Isaiah 53:5 “He Himself bore our sins” in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:24,25 3. Righteousness For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. - 2 Corinthians 5:21 4. Forgiveness Offered Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." – Luke 23:34 Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Colossians 3:13 5. New Life Possible How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:2-4 6. Freed from Sin For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin, for anyone who has died has been freed from sin. – Romans 6:6-7