The Wondrous Cross

The Wondrous CrossThen there was that glad day when Jesus came as the fulfillment of all the symbols, the prophecies, the promises, and the fondest hopes of those who had looked so long for the consolation of Israel. Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world broke the silence of centuries as that Voice in the Wilderness uttered his clarion call. Men had been offering up their lambs from time immemorial, and yet salvation had not come. Now God himself

Then there was that glad day when Jesus came as the fulfillment of all the symbols, the prophecies, the promises, and the fondest hopes of those who had looked so long for the consolation of Israel. “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world” broke the silence of centuries as that Voice in the Wilderness uttered his clarion call. Men had been offering up their lambs from time immemorial, and yet salvation had not come. Now God himself was offering up his Lamb, which was actually to take away the sin of the world. Christ’s whole mission centers around this truth, and his life and teaching take their meanings from the fact that he came to “offer his life as a ransom.” He lived and taught with the cross ever in view. . . . 

One may be surprised to find that in the Gospel records a large proportion of the volume of the four is taken up in recording events connected directly with Jesus’ passion and death. About one-third of Matthew, one-third of Mark, one-fourth of Luke, and one-half of John are consumed in relating the events and the teachings of that last week. This is true in spite of the fact that there is no elaboration, no embellishment, no speculating upon the meanings, no painting of lurid details striving for effect. It is all related in the utmost factual simplicity.