Looking at the cross of Christ one sees the love of God. The cross was a device of death, one that was meant to give one being a horrific death. God allowed Jesus to suffer this death fulfilling His plan for man’s redemption. Some men have tried to say that man was able to stop God’s plan, but Peter shows that simply is not true. “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (Acts 2:22 – 24). God from the time man sinned in the Garden of Eden planned for man’s salvation.
When one looks at the cross the plan of God is clearly seen.
Looking to the cross of Calvary one sees God’s grace. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). God’s favor (grace) is for all, but everyone must accept the grace. It might be illustrated as, one receiving a gift. If one never accepts the gift, it is still not of use to them, but when one accepts the gift and opens it, they have the gift. Those who follow God investigate His word and see what God wants them to do to have salvation. Faith develops when one studies the word (Rom. 10:17). Continued study of the word leads to repentance (Acts 17:30), then knowing they must confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37), and then to baptism (Acts 2:38). Sinful man does not seem to be worthy of God’s grace, but God said he was.
The scene at Calvary also shows why God allowed this to happen to His only Begotten Son. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16 – 18).
God wants all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). God has done His part, providing the sacrifice, providing the directions but then it is up to man to see the need to follow and obey God.
Looking back to the cross shows the vicarious death of Jesus. He died for sinful man.
Paul in his writings showed this fact. “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Cor. 15:1 – 4).
Each person needs to realize that God loves them and wants them to go to heaven.
The cross of Jesus shows God’s love to all humanity, man must obey God’s will to fully appreciate this love.