The Way of the Cross Leads Home

Sean Cavender

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This lesson will look at the importance of the cross and how it becomes the banner of our discipleship, the way of our salvation, and the hope of our everlasting life.

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Introduction

The crucifixion of Jesus, in many ways, is the focal point of the Bible. Everything we read in the Old Testament and even in the life of Jesus, from birth, all built up to His crucifixion and death on the cross.

New Testament authors looked back at the death of Jesus as the event that opened the fountain of blessings, making spiritual life available -

By our observance of Lord’s Supper, we remember Jesus’ death each and every week. We memorialize it because of the sacrifice and significance it has for us.

Hymns and spiritual songs focus on the death of Jesus, such as “The Way of the Cross Leads Home.”

Way of Discipleship

Following Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of the living God, Jesus began telling His disciples that His Messianic mission was to go to Jerusalem to be killed -

Peter went from hero to zero, rebuking Jesus for such a thought -

Jesus then rebuked Peter for thinking how men and Satan wanted him to think -

Then Jesus began to teach about what it meant to truly be His disciple -

Being a disciple means we are a follower of Jesus. Jesus had to go to the cross, therefore, it comes as no surprise that disciples of Jesus have to bear their own cross -

Discipleship involves a great commitment and effort to following the Lord.

If we will truly follow Jesus, that requires we put Him first. We must put ourselves last. That is self-denial.

Denying the priority of earthly relationships -

Taking up the cross (co-crucifixion) - ;

Paul spoke about being crucified with Christ - ;

Losing our life leads to finding our life with Christ - ;

It is no longer “I” who lives but “Christ lives in me” — that’s the essence of discipleship, finding our life with Christ.

Seeking heavenly pursuits, not this world’s pursuits - ;

The path of discipleship understands that God will judge us and that we will be judged for our deeds - ;

We must make sure that our works are pleasing and acceptable to God!

Jesus’ message seems kind of odd for those who would believe we are saved by faith alone “without works.”

Why would it be right for God to condemn us and judge us according to our deeds if obedient works did not matter? The answer is obvious: it would not be right.

Way to Redemption

The apostle Paul reminds Christians that it is through the “blood of the cross” that we receive spiritual blessings -

Rescued -

Redemption -

Forgiveness of sins -

Reconciliation -

Peace -

The concept of “redemption” was rooted in ancient slavery, “to buy [back, again]” and give freedom and release to those who were enslaved or taken prisoner. The word is much like our word “ransom.” See BDAG below.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἀπολύτρωσις

orig. ‘buying back’ a slave or captive, i.e. ‘making free’ by payment of a ransom

The “blood of the cross” is what gave redemption and ransom to us.

Redemption released us from the bondage of sin and brought forgiveness, releasing us from the debt, grief, and guilty verdict that sin brings -

The death and blood of Jesus were offered to cleanse our guilty consciences -

Redemption not only releases us from the bondage of sin, though. It restores us to a relationship with God.

In the OT, God redeemed Israel and promised to make them His people and He would be their God - ;

Redemption brings us into a covenant relationship with God where we receive His blessings and we give Him our heartfelt obedience -

Way to Paradise

Since the way of the cross is necessary to being Jesus’ disciple and receiving redemption from our sin to be restored to a right relationship with God, we should not be surprised that the way of the cross leads to our eternal salvation in the Paradise of God.

By Jesus’ death, we have access to God and the hope of dwelling with God for all eternity.

Jesus spoke how He and the penitent thief would be in Paradise -

It is sad that this text of Scripture has been stripped of its greater teaching. This is not an example that should be appealed to in order to try and escape the conclusion that a person must be baptized to become a child of God.

Yes, the thief was saved by grace, but God’s grace is not unconditional.

This thief demonstrated his repentance and remorse. Christ forgave Him.

This thief lived before the time of the New Covenant of Christ and the command to “repent and be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins.”

This passage should give us hope that if we live faithfully for the Lord, we have the hope of joining God in heaven.

For those who hear God’s word and does what He says, they will be granted access to the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God -

What is this Paradise of God?

It is not just recognizing that we die, depart this earth and go to the “realm of the dead.” That should be assumed.

Jesus spoke of a specific place called “Paradise” that was filled with comforting words to the thief.

The word “Paradise” is only used 3 times in the NT. It comes from a Persian word and concept of a garden or a park.

In the Septuagint, the garden of Eden is described as a “paradise” - ,

The garden of Eden reminds us of a time when man and woman freely walked with God and had direct communion with the Lord.

The Paradise of God is the restoration of what was lost in the garden of Eden. Paradise is the hope of the Christian to see God and the Lamb face to face - , esp. vv 3-4

Do not forget how the “Lamb” is described in the book of Revelation.

He is the Lamb who was slain and brought back to life - ,

Because of Jesus and the cross, we have the way home — to Paradise with God.

Conclusion

The way of the cross leads home. The cross is necessary for being a disciple of Jesus, receiving the redemption and forgiveness of sins, and to go to our eternal home with God.

If you have not come to the Lord in faithful obedience, we want you and invite you to come to the Lord. Come today. Today is the day of salvation.

You can dwell in the Paradise of God if you become His child.

Whatever your need may be, come today as we sing the song of encouragement.

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