THE VICARIOUS DEATH OF CHRIST

 THE VICARIOUS DEATH OF CHRIST

I love the old hymns that we still sometimes sing in church. One such hymn is “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” written by Fanny J. Crosby in 1869. Please note the year, circa 1869. That is not a typo. The words to the chorus go like this:

“In the cross, in the cross

Be my glory ever

Till my ransomed soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.”

That song speaks to my heart every time I hear it. Why?

Because it is filled with Biblical truth about the importance of the death of Christ. The death of Jesus Christ is THE event that saves people from their sins. It is the Cross that enables us to be forgiven of our sins. The Cross is at the very heart of our redemption.

A couple weeks ago we studied the attributes of God. Remember? We talked about grace, mercy, holiness, power of God, justice and wrath, etc. If you want to know God, study the cross. For there, on that Cross, you will see every attribute of God displayed in live and living color.

Ephesians 5:2 describes Christ's death as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Jesus went willingly and joyfully to that old rugged cross and His obedience was pleasing to God. If you do not see the wisdom, goodness, grace, mercy, love, holiness and wrath of God in the Cross, you will never see it in this life and you will never understand those attributes.

Thank God today for the vicarious, substitutionary, sacrificial death of Jesus on that Cross!

Yes, Jesus, keep me near the cross!

“Near the Cross”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf_wlFwBIMc