The King who died for His people
"So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!" (NLT) Acts 2:36
Bible reading: Acts 2:22-36
The message of the cross is one that has been preached several times but not all of its listeners have become believers. To all who have accepted this message, I salute you and pray for more grace to finish the race (Acts 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:7). As great commission bestowed unto believers, the message of the cross (Christ) must continually be preached to everyone so that all can have the opportunity to be saved.
The message of the cross has not been accepted by many perhaps because of the deceitful nature of the human heart. When a heart is not dedicated to God, it is most likely dedicated to doing evil (Romans 1:22-31) and has no room for the message of the cross. As the Bible rightly said, the message of the cross becomes foolish to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18). It is therefore our responsibility as Christian to be merciful to the doubtful and stone-hearted people who are perishing in order to rescue them from eternal hellfire (Jude 22-23).
The ultimate example of mercy and love for mankind was demonstrated by our Father (God) for He is the best person who knows and understands the deceitful nature of our hearts (Luke 16:15; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 20:12; Acts 15:8; Psalm 139). And to cure us of this “sickness”, seemingly incurable to fellow men, He came down to us in a form of man to do the atonement (John 1). 2 Corinthians 5:19 sums this truth: “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation”. Thus, the King of the whole UNIVERSE came to His people to cleanse us through His death on the cross: that is the greatest love of all. He is the GREATEST KING that laid down His life for His people (THE ENTIRE HUMANITY, including our worldly kings). His sacrifice is not comparable to the ancient folk tales of people dying for their earthly kings and people of perceived noble blood. It is rather a true story of the King of the universe who died for His sinful subjects.
Make no mistake beloved, this JESUS who is GOD and KING gave up His life for us so we can become Children of God. And to show His supremacy over the laws of the universe, He rose from the dead and continues to reign. Death could not have a grip on Him. His name is Power. For this reason, He did not only declare Himself as King superior to all others but became unto us, our LORD AND MESSIAH. This is the message of the cross that is embedded in the heart of Christians and must be preached to everyone in the whole wide world. All praise is unto His name now and forever, Amen!
If God truly loves me, then do I still have to obey? || More