The Value of Christ’s Cross

Official letters from the church or church leadership around the Easter season are usually focused on greetings and the proclamation of Christ’s resurrection—and rightly so. We rejoice in the resurrection of Christ as the most important event in human history. Yet today, during these Easter days, we will turn our attention to the suffering, pain, rejection, and betrayal that Jesus Christ—our Savior and Lord—endured for us. This is no less significant an event, for it became the very foundation of salvation from destruction for multitudes of people. If you are part of the Church of the redeemed, the sufferings of Christ are not merely important to remember—they are truly precious and eternally significant.


The Cross of Christ came with the rejection and contempt of sinners

“…and they plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.” (Matthew 26:4)

“Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward…” (Matthew 26:59–60)

“…For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.” (Matthew 27:18)

“And he said, ‘Why? What evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’” (Matthew 27:23)

The Cross of Christ came with betrayal and denial by the disciples

“Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:14-16)

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”’” (Matthew 26:31)

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you mean.’” (Matthew 26:69–70)

The Cross of Christ came with physical suffering

“When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’” (John 18:22)

“Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him…” (Matthew 26:67)

“And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.” (Matthew 27:30)

“Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’” (Luke 22:63–64)

“Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.” (John 19:1)

“And it was the third hour when they crucified him.” (Mark 15:25)

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’” (John 19:28)

The Cross of Christ came with spiritual and emotional suffering

“And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’” (Matthew 26:37–38)

“And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)

“And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.” (Luke 23:11)

“And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads…” (Matthew 27:39)

“So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying…” (Matthew 27:41)

“And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.” (Matthew 27:44)

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46)

And all of this was for us! It is impossible to read and reflect on this without tears. This is love—true love! A broken spirit and a deep awareness of Christ’s devotion to our salvation is the only right response to the work of Jesus Christ. Meditate on the sufferings of Christ that He endured for our salvation. Do not rush to close this chapter in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Even in eternity, we will marvel at and glorify Jesus Christ for His sufferings:

“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’” (Revelation 5:9–10)

Dear Church, may your minds in these days be filled with reflection on the price by which our eternal salvation was purchased, and may your hearts be filled with extraordinary gratitude and reverence before the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine:

"So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!"
Romans 6:11-15