The cross is at the heart of the Christian faith, prompting questions about its significance. These questions are not merely academic; they are the very inquiries we encounter most often in evangelism. By delving into these questions about the cross, we can equip ourselves with the Bible’s best answers, strengthening our own faith and our ability to share it effectively. Moreover, understanding these truths can help settle these fundamental issues in our own minds. In this post, let’s explore ten of the most pressing questions about the cross, and look for answers rooted in biblical truth…

Why did Jesus have to die?

The Bible teaches that sin is a rebellion against God’s perfect holiness. As Romans 6:23 states, “the wages of sin is death,” highlighting the severe consequence of sin and our desperate need for restoration.

God’s justice demands that sin be addressed, but His love seeks to save us. This paradox finds its resolution in the cross. Jesus, being sinless, was the only one who could bear the penalty for sin. Our fallen nature renders us incapable of redeeming ourselves or satisfying the eternal debt of sin. As Isaiah 64:6 reminds us, even our righteous acts are like filthy rags compared to God’s holiness.

The cross represents God’s solution to this dilemma. The cross is where justice and mercy meet, where the penalty for sin is paid, and where forgiveness becomes possible.

What did Jesus’ death accomplish for us?

Jesus’ death on the cross achieved what theologians call “substitutionary atonement.” This means Jesus took our place, bearing the punishment we deserved for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through this act of supreme love, Jesus bridged the gap between God’s justice and His mercy, providing a way for sinners to be reconciled to God without compromising His holiness.

The cross stands as the ultimate expression of God’s love. As John 3:16 famously declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

When was this plan of salvation finalized?

Questions about the cross often extend to the timing of God’s plan. Remarkably, the plan of salvation wasn’t an afterthought or a last-minute solution but an eternal design established before the world’s foundation. Ephesians 1:4 tells us, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

Throughout the Old Testament, we see types and foreshadows of Christ and His sacrifice. From the sacrificial system instituted through Moses to Isaiah’s prophecies about the suffering servant, each element pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

How is the cross better than the Old Testament types?

When considering questions about the cross, it’s important to understand its superiority to Old Testament sacrifices. While the Old Testament is rich with typology pointing to Jesus and His sacrifice, these were only shadows of what was to come. FOR MORE ON TYPOLOGY IN SCRIPTURE, READ OUR POST: Types of Christ and His Cross in the Old Testament

Unlike the repeated and insufficient animal sacrifices, Jesus’ death on the cross was a single, perfect, and sufficient atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:14).

The cross represents the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, as Jesus Himself declared in Matthew 5:17. It ushered in a better covenant based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).

Couldn’t God have forgiven sin some other way?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about the cross. While God’s omnipotence means He could have devised alternative means for forgiveness, the cross magnifies the depth of His love, justice, and redemptive plan like nothing else could.

The cross stands as the supreme demonstration of God’s love for humanity. It fulfills His justice while providing a way for sinners to be reconciled to Him. As Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

What does the cross symbolize for Christians?

One of the most profound questions about the cross concerns its symbolism for Christians. The cross is rich with meaning, representing several fundamental truths:

• Sacrifice: The cross symbolizes Jesus’ ultimate act of love and obedience to the Father (Philippians 2:8).
• Redemption: The cross represents the price paid for our freedom from sin. Colossians 1:13-14 affirms, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
• Forgiveness: The cross stands as a symbol of complete and final forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 10:14-18 explains how Christ’s one sacrifice has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
• Victory: Another crucial aspect when considering questions about the cross is its representation of victory. The cross symbolizes Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and Satan (Colossians 2:14-15).
• Love: Perhaps most importantly, the cross symbolizes God’s immeasurable love for humanity (John 3:16).

How does the cross affect a believer’s daily life?

When exploring questions about the cross, it’s crucial to understand its impact on a believer’s daily life. The cross influences every aspect of a Christian’s existence:

• Identity: Believers find their identity in Christ and His work on the cross (Galatians 2:20).
• Holiness: The cross calls believers to live holy lives, set apart for God (1 Peter 1:15-16).
• Service: Questions about the cross lead us to consider how we should live in response. Believers are called to follow Jesus’ example of sacrificial love and service (John 13:34-35).
• Suffering: The cross gives meaning to suffering, reminding believers they are to share in Christ’s sufferings (Philippians 3:10).
• Hope: The cross provides hope and assurance of eternal life (Romans 8:38-39).

What is substitutionary atonement?

Substitutionary atonement is crucial. This theological term means Jesus took our place, bearing the punishment for our sins. He was our substitute, enduring the wrath of God that we deserved.

Isaiah 53:4-5 prophetically describes this: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

The apostle Paul further explains in 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.” This substitution allows believers to be forgiven and reconciled to God because Jesus took their penalty upon Himself.

1 Peter 2:24 summarizes it beautifully: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

Understanding substitutionary atonement is key to grasping the full significance of the cross in Christian theology. FOR MORE ON SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT, READ OUR POST: Penal Substitutionary Atonement: The Blazing Heart of the Gospel

What are the benefits of the cross?

When exploring questions about the cross, it’s crucial to understand its many benefits for believers. The cross offers profound spiritual blessings:

• Justification and Reconciliation: Through Jesus’ death on the cross, believers are justified—declared righteous before God. Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This justification leads to reconciliation with God, restoring the relationship that sin had fractured (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
• Redemption and Forgiveness: The cross secured our redemption from the curse of the Law, offering complete forgiveness for all our sins. Ephesians 1:7 affirms, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” This redemption frees believers from the bondage of sin and death, granting them new life in Christ.
• Adoption and Eternal Life: All who believe in Christ’s work on the cross are adopted into God’s family. Romans 8:15-17 explains, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.” This new identity assures believers of eternal life and a place in God’s eternal kingdom.
• Sanctification and Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: The cross paves the way for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers. This indwelling Spirit sanctifies believers, setting them apart for holy living (1 Thessalonians 4:3). The Holy Spirit guides, empowers, and transforms believers into the likeness of Christ (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Empowerment for Life: The cross, through the resulting gift of the Holy Spirit, empowers believers to live a life pleasing to God. As 2 Peter 1:3 assures us, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Why is the resurrection important in the context of the cross?

When addressing questions about the cross, it’s essential to understand its connection to the resurrection. The resurrection is crucial because:

• It Confirms Jesus’ Victory: The resurrection confirms Jesus’ victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:17). The resurrection proves the cross did accomplish its purpose.
• It Validates Jesus’ Identity: The resurrection powerfully validates Jesus’ identity as the Son of God (Romans 1:4).
• It Assures Believers of Their Future: The resurrection assures believers of their own future resurrection and eternal life (1 Peter 1:3-4).
• It Completes the Work of the Cross: Without the resurrection, the significance of the cross would be incomplete. The resurrection demonstrates the power of the cross and the completeness of Jesus’ work. As Romans 4:25 states, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

In essence, while the cross secured our redemption, the resurrection proves its efficacy and guarantees our hope. Together, the cross and resurrection form the cornerstone of Christian faith, offering a complete answer to the problem of sin and death.

These final questions about the cross highlight its comprehensive impact on the believer’s life, from securing eternal benefits to providing the assurance of victory over death itself.

Conclusion: These questions about the cross lead us to a deeper appreciation of its central role in the Christian faith. The cross is not just a historical event but a present reality that continues to offer hope, forgiveness, and reconciliation to all who believe. It invites us to embrace salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, offering a restored relationship with God and the promise of eternal life.

Uniquely, the Bible offers a comprehensive solution to both the guilt and power of sin through the cross—a stark contrast to other faiths where humanity must strive to reach God. In Christianity, we see God’s remarkable initiative in coming down to us, as epitomised in the cross of Christ. As we continue to ponder these truths, may we be ever more grounded in our faith and effective in sharing the good news of the cross with others.

Related Reads:

• Can Good Deeds Help Us Get to Heaven?
• Defending Penal Substitutionary Atonement
• Salvation: Is it Faith Or Works? Or Both?