The Cross: The Cost and the Stakes
by David Wyper
March 26, 2021
The plan of the Cross, including our Redemption, was put into motion before the foundation of the earth was laid. "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you," (1 Peter 1:19-20)
Jesus paid with His own lifeblood the price of the Cross. The cost was great, as Jesus, not merely a man, was also the only begotten Son of God, who willingly died for us in this horrible way. But even greater than the cost was everything that was at stake if He failed: The very throne in Heaven that He left, the sovereignty, and even the existence of God Himself, and the entire Kingdom of Heaven, were all at stake. This is because God's Will cannot fail, and if it ever did fail, everything would cease to exist - instantly. "And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." (Colossians 1:17)
Without the Victory at the Cross, the whole of Creation (we have the account of Creation in the Word of God) would have unraveled, the stars in the sky would have vanished. For us today, without the finished work of Christ, the earth and all that sustains us would be gone like it never existed. Jesus would no longer be a man, or God, he wouldn’t exist anymore because nothing would exist. "All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made." (John 1:3)
Jesus came to defeat the works of Satan, who is Evil itself. Jesus came to defeat Evil that had rebelled in war against God, the Trinity, which is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The plan of Salvation, requiring the death of Jesus on the Cross, was God's Will even before the world existed. To show His love for us, and for the world which did not yet exist, except in His Will, Jesus committed to defeat Satan and all evil works. "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Titus 1:2)
We hear in songs and writings that we would have no hope were it not for the Cross. The truth is that Hope, in or for anything, would have vanished from existence, if Christ had not won the victory at the Cross.
What a great price Jesus paid at the Cross, but oh, how very much was at stake if He didn’t. At the Cross, He made it possible for every man, woman and child to partake in this victory! "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" (Ephesians 1:4)
Friends, be sure that your faith is 100% in the finished work of Christ at the Cross. It is this Faith that moves the Holy Spirit to respond for our benefit. God loved, and loves, us all, but His victory is only through the Cross! "Whoever confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believes in their heart that God has raised him from the dead, shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-10)
