The Meaning of the Cross Ephesians 1:1-6

This post discusses the meaning of the cross of Jesus to us.

The meaning of the cross starts with understanding God and His plans, formulated before creation, Ephesians 1:3-6. “Blessed… the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who … blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,” These verses teach that God knew of the future need of salvation for us and formulated a predetermined plan to accomplish it before He created the world. The occurrence of the cross of Jesus means that God completed His plan of salvation for everyone at the cross.

Secondly, the cross illustrates the fact that Jesus obeyed and caused salvation to happen. The Apostle Paul spoke about it in Philippians 2:8. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Thus, Jesus obeyed the will of God the Father at the cross.

Thirdly, the cross shows that the blood of Jesus makes salvation possible for the obedient, 1 John 1:7. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” So, the blood of Christ made salvation possible for us at the cross.

Finally, consideration of what the cross means generates thanksgiving and praise for God, Ephesians 1:5-6. “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” The cross provides the focus for eternal gratitude and praise of God the Father by us for the plan of salvation.

So, what did we learn?

1.God planned the cross before creation as a means of saving a future fallen race.

2.Jesus obeyed God the Father by giving Himself on the cross.

3.The shedding of His blood on the cross paid the price for eternal salvation of the obedient.

4.Thanksgiving and praise focuses us on praise to God for the cross and what it means.

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