Near The Cross: A Place of Redemption

The German theologian Jurgen Moltmann expresses in a single sentence the great span from Good Friday to Easter. It is, in fact, a summary of human history, past, present, and future: "God weeps with us so that we may someday laugh with him."     -Philip Yancey

When Jesus was crucified I wonder how near the cross I would have stood? I ask you to stop and think about this right now, at this very moment. How near the cross would you have been if you were there to witness Jesus’ crucifixion? What does it really mean to be near the cross when Jesus was crucified?

I am not talking about a literal physical presence, but I am referring to a spiritual position. I am talking about a special relationship to Jesus Christ.Today, we will briefly discuss one such person who stood near the cross, when Jesus was crucified, and try to understand what it meant to her to be near the cross. Her name is: Mary Magdalene.

Luke 8:2 tells us that Mary Magdalene was a woman whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. She had been in bondage to Satan for a long time. These seven demons made her do terrible things. Satan was at work in her life to destroy, cause havoc, wreck her physically, emotionally and spiritually. Mary was in a hopeless and helpless situation.

Then Jesus came along and cast out her demons. Jesus delivered Mary from bondage and set her free. Mary Magdalene was miraculously saved from her dilemma. Mary Magdalene was redeemed and bought back from the bondage she was in. She was ultimately delivered through a miraculous encounter with Jesus.

When a person trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ for deliverance from the bondage of sin, these same marvelous changes take place in their life. They go from darkness to light (mental, moral, spiritual). They go from the power of Satan to the power of God (God begins to take control). They go from being guilt to experiencing forgiveness. They go from being spiritually impoverished to becoming spiritually wealthy (becoming heirs of the Kingdom).

This is what Jesus did for Mary Magdalene. He redeemed her and bought her out of her miserable condition. But, redemption is a costly thing. When Jesus delivered Mary Magdalene it cost Him something. Standing there at the cross Mary saw the price being paid. Jesus had to die that we might be redeemed and bought back from bondage.

Redemption is a costly thing. It is no wonder Mary Magdalene was standing there at the cross. It is no wonder that Mary Magdalene was there at His burial. It is no wonder that Mary Magdalene was there at His resurrection. Mary Magdalene had experienced redemption and she stood near the cross because it was a place of redemption.

Like Mary Magdalene, all believers are taking His place here on earth. John 20:21 tells us that, “As my Father has sent me, even so, send I you.” You and I represent Jesus to others. To acknowledge the cross, is to acknowledge a place of responsibility.

If you and I have come to the cross, we have a huge responsibility to love the Lord Jesus (because he has loved us on the cross), to love others, and to love others the same way Jesus loved us. The cross is clearly a place of responsibility.

Near the cross is where the Lord wants us to be. Why? Because it is:

1) A place of redemption – if you have never trusted the Lord Jesus, the cross is the place to start;

2) A place of rebuke – all of our pride and selfishness just fades away as we stand at the cross and see the Lord Jesus suffering for us;

3) A place of reward – Jesus knows our struggles and will reward our faithfulness;

4) A place of responsibility – when we come to the cross through faith, we cannot hide ourselves, but we must go and do the work He has called us to do. Jesus ministered to others, we must follow suit.

I would like to close today's message with an illustration: Max Lucado (as found in his ‘God’s Inspirational Promise Book’, but written for his book, ‘In the Eye of the Storm’), told this fictional story of an angel trying to find another way for salvation:

“He looked around the hill and foresaw a scene. Three figures hung on three crosses. Arms spread. Heads fallen forward. They moaned with the wind.

Men clad in religion stood off to one side…Arrogant, cocky.

Women clad in sorrow huddled at the foot of the hill…Faces tear streaked.

All heaven stood to fight. All nature rose to rescue. All eternity poise to protect. But the Creator gave no command. ‘It must be done…,” he said, and withdrew.

The angel spoke again. “It would be less painful…”

The Creator interrupted softly. “But it wouldn't be love.”

Scripture: Psalm 22:14-18; John 8:12; Matthew 27:46; 1 John 2:2;  2 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 3:18; John 5:24; John 10:17-18; Hebrews 2:14

Prayer: Gracious God, it is a day to go inward. A day to feel the deep darkness of death. A day to be quiet with the heavy silence that looms large. A day to feel the pounding weight of untruth and injustice. A day to own up to what is strangling my own soul. A day to feel gratitude for the full truth of your deep and abiding love; love that refused to claim its own safety, but willingly gave itself for me. Let my soul be open and empty before you. I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen

God bless you,

Jane