What difference did it make?

What difference did it make?

‘AWord From the Pastor’ By Clayton Adams

What difference did it make? What difference did it make for Christ to die on the cross? The Romans crucified thousands of others on crosses, so I ask, what difference did it make? The difference was that Jesus was sinless and perfect, all others who died on a cross were not perfect, were guilty, in fact one thief on a cross next to Jesus admits this very thing.

Why couldn’t the religious leaders see that the Hebrew Scriptures were being fulfilled with the birth, life and death of Jesus? Why couldn’t the disciples see Jesus as fulfilling the role of the promised Messiah – perhaps they were expecting their Messiah to establish a physical kingdom on earth. Their earthly king was hanging on the cross and they couldn’t understand why.

In his letter to the Christians in the city of Rome, Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes….”(Romans 1:16). The word “Gospel” simply means “Good News.” The good news is that Christ died on the cross to atone (pay for) for all sin and to justify each person before a holy and righteous God. Without Christ on the cross there would be no salvation, no ability to forgive, no grace, no mercy and no good news.

In another letter Paul wrote we read, “For the word 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). Did you know that God loves you so much that in order for you to be with Him, He paid the full price required by sin (Romans 6:23). We have all sinned and from each one a penalty is due (Romans 3:23). Sin requires a penalty and that penalty is death. The good news is that Christ paid your penalty on the cross. What difference did it make for Christ to die on the cross? Christ paid your penalty for you, the difference is He paid the penalty no one else could that was the difference!

In Luke 4:17-21 we read “And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives And recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

What difference did it make for Christ to die on the cross? First, there is forgiveness of sin. Second, because of what Christ did on the cross, I am justified (made right with God the Father) and sanctified (set apart for His use). Third, is where you and I will spend eternity because He died on the cross. Christ made all the difference on the cross.

Clayton Adams is pastor at Earle First Assembly of God. You can e- mail him at cpalaa@ yahoo. com, or find Earle First Assembly on Facebook.