Friday, March 23, 2007
Romans 5:10 . . . When we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son.
ATONEMENT -- THE CROSS IS THE CRUX OF THE MATTER
The English word ATONEMENT impresses upon us needy sinners the fact that by His sacrifice Jesus secured for us both the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. Without Christ's death in our place, sin would not be atoned for and we could never hope to be at one with God.
The cross is absolutely central to our salvation. It is not by accident that it quickly came to be accepted as the symbol Christianity. So central is the cross to the Gospel of Christ and to the Christian faith that the word itself has come to carry that significance. When something is at the heart of a matter it is referred to as the "crux" of the issue. When something is absolutely essential it is "crucial".
The death of Jesus was not the death of a martyr but of a Savior -- THE Savior. His death saves us human beings from our sins. Christ took our place and died our death -- after a living a life in which He, though Himself sinless, willingly and consistently identified with sinners. It is no accident that our Lord hung between two thieves when He breathed His last.
Jesus, may our hearts be burning With more fervent love for Thee!
May our eyes be ever turning To Thy cross of agony
Till in glory, parted never From the blessed Savior's side,
Graven in our hearts forever Dwell the cross, the Crucified!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 145:3)
