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 (NKJV)

 

According to the Apostle Paul, the gospel sounds foolish and unconvincing to those who choose to resist God. However, for those of us who hear the gospel and gladly receive it, we will experience the incredible power of God in saving us from sin and death.

Death on the cross is the most cruel and violent punishment ever devised by man. Yet, Jesus gladly humbled Himself (Hebrews 12:2) and suffered the consequences of sin. In doing so, He redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13); He reconciled us to God (1 Peter 2:14); He nullified the Law (Romans 1:4; Colossians 2:13-16; Ephesians 2:15) and established the New Covenant; and He defeated the demonic powers of darkness (Colossians 2:14-15). These benefits and blessings of salvation are ours because we are united in Christ's death and resurrection.

God did not forsake or abandon His Son on the cross because He was in Christ personally reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). In other words, God was punishing sin, not Jesus. And God won complete victory over sin in Himself through the suffering of Jesus. Thus, God will not impute sin to us because He has already forgiven us.

Behind His cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), Jesus bore the punishment of eternal separation caused by sin between God and us on our behalf, so that we would not have to face it. Knowing God is with us and for us, we have no more fear of separation from God (Romans 8:33). This is good news!