Faith & Reason Nexus

The cross of Jesus Christ presents profound paradoxes that are central to the Christian faith. These paradoxes highlight the depth of His sacrifice, the mystery of His identity, and the immense love He demonstrated for humanity. Through the cross, what seemed to be defeat became the means of salvation, and through His suffering, we find victory.

JESUS CHRIST:

1. Became Man of Sorrows
   • 1 Timothy 1:15 – “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”
   • Matthew 20:20 – “Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking…’”
     Jesus, the Savior of the world, was also the Man of Sorrows, experiencing the full depth of human suffering.
2. Was Born in the Flesh
   • John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”
   • 1 John 4:2-3 – “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.”
     Jesus, though divine, became human, born in the flesh, to identify with our struggles and to fulfill God’s plan of salvation.
3. Was Born of Woman
   • Galatians 4:4 – “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman…”
   • Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.”
     Jesus was born of a woman, fulfilling the prophecy of the virgin birth, signifying His humanity.
4. Became Son of Man
   • Philippians 2:5-6 – “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage.”
   • Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
     The title “Son of Man” emphasizes Jesus’ connection to humanity and His mission to save it.
5. Became Man of Sorrows
   • Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.”
   • Matthew 23:37 – “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together…”
     Jesus, though perfect, took on sorrow for the sake of humanity, bearing our pain and grief.
6. Was Made Sin for Us
   • 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us…”
   • 1 Peter 2:22-24 – “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
     Jesus took on our sins, though He Himself was sinless, so that we could be made righteous in Him.
7. Was Put to Death
   • Luke 24:46 – “The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.”
   • Matthew 16:21 – “From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…”
     Jesus was put to death, yet His death was the means of bringing life to all who believe.
8. Was Cursed on Earth
   • Galatians 6:3 – “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”
   • Isaiah 53:7-8 – “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth…”
     Jesus, in His death on the cross, became a curse for us, bearing the punishment we deserved.

THAT WE MAY:

1. Enter into Heaven
   • John 14:1-3 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms…”
   • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven…”
     Through His sacrifice, we are invited to enter into eternal fellowship with God.
2. Be Born of the Spirit
   • John 3:5 – “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
   • 1 Peter 1:22 – “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply…”
     We are spiritually reborn through the Holy Spirit, a new creation in Christ.
3. Be Born of God
   • 1 John 3:1-2 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
   • Galatians 4:6 – “Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts…”
     Through Christ’s work, we become children of God, adopted into His family.
4. Be Sons of God
   • 1 John 3:1-2 – “Now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.”
   • Galatians 4:6 – “God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts…”
     Christ’s sacrifice allows us to be called sons and daughters of the living God.
5. Rejoice & Be Glad
   • Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
   • 1 Peter 4:13 – “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ…”
     In Christ, we find joy and gladness, even in the midst of suffering.
6. Be Righteous
   • 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
     Through Jesus, we are declared righteous before God, not by our own works but by His grace.
7. Be Made Alive
   • Colossians 2:13 – “When you were dead in your sins…God made you alive with Christ.”
   • Ephesians 2:1 – “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…”
     Christ’s death and resurrection bring us from spiritual death to eternal life.
8. Be Blessed Above
   • Galatians 3:14 – “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus…”
   • Revelation 14:13 – “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…”
     Through the cross, we receive blessings beyond measure, both in this life and in the life to come.

HE WAS CRUCIFIED FOR ME…AND YOU…AND YOU…AND…YOU!

The cross, full of paradoxes, shows the depth of Christ’s love and sacrifice. He became what He was not (sin for us) so that we could become what we were not (righteous and adopted children of God). Through His death, we are granted life, and through His suffering, we gain joy and eternal blessings. Let us cherish and reflect on the profound mystery of the cross, where God’s love and justice met in perfect harmony.