The cross: The central point of Christianity

By Jonathan Falwell

A Knights of Columbus-Marist poll this week found that nearly two-thirds of Americans will attend church service this weekend. It is good to see that people still believe it is important to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, but I believe it is more important that Christians live each day in service to the One who conquered the grave and provided the avenue to eternal life for us.

As such, it is imperative that each follower of Christ take time this weekend to reflect on the significance and magnitude of the cross of Christ.

Hebrews 2:9 tells us: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (NKJV).

In this verse we see that Jesus’ death is fundamental to Christianity.

Jesus knew His fate was on the horrible cross. And yet He went willingly with a heart of love for all who would ever live. Isaiah 53 tells us that Jesus was as a “lamb to the slaughter” in that He did not refuse to be oppressed or afflicted or to go to the cross.

Learn what many churches have de-emphasized – the Jewish origins of Christianity – with “Yeshua/Jesus: Exploring the Jewish Roots of Jesus”

But the most important thing to note in the death of Christ is that it was all-inclusive. There is no human who has ever lived for whom Jesus did not die.

Titus 2:11: “For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men.”

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

This means that He died for you, my friend reading this column right now.

Jesus, the Son of God, who experienced the suffering of death, had you – had me – in mind when His precious blood flowed from His brow, His side, His hands and His feet. And He had us in mind when three days later He arose – literally overpowering death – from man’s tomb.

Even though our sin is what required Jesus to die, He loved us beyond anything we could ever do and went to the cross to bear our sin, as our sinless substitute.

I pray that all who read this column today understand that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is essential to the plan of salvation. You see, His death produced our redemption, our sanctification and our deliverance.

Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

It has become popular to scoff at and satirize Jesus these days, but I choose to believe the Bible (God’s Word) over trendy culture.

Jesus is alive today, and I praise His holy name for going to the cross for me! No matter who scoffs or laughs, I join with the Apostle Paul in saying, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ,” for it is indeed “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

Jonathan Falwell

Jonathan Falwell is the pastor of the historic Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., the church his father started in 1956. Read more of Jonathan Falwell's articles here.