THE POWER OF THE CROSS

 

THE POWER OF THE CROSS 

(The Triumph of the Cross; The Exaltation of the Cross September 14)

A. INTRODUCTION

The power of the cross is a Christian concept referring to the transformative spiritual power derived from the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is seen as the way through which God saves his people from sin, offer forgiveness and healing, reconcile individuals to God, and provide strength to live a righteous life. For believers, the cross signifies the unconditional love of God, the destruction of the power of sin, and the cancellation of spiritual debt, empowering them to become new creations in Christ.  

To be crucified literally means to die on a cross. Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross are the foundation of the Christian faith.  The cross is an essential symbol of the salvation God gave humankind. The cross is at the very heart of the Christian message (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). It is a graphic reminder of the terrible price that Jesus paid for our salvation. If we are to experience salvation, wholeness, and personal transformation in our lives, then we are going to have to encounter Jesus Christ and embrace the message of the cross.

Crucifixion was barbaric and disgraceful. The Romans typically did not allow their citizens to be crucified. The Jews viewed crucifixion as a curse (Deuteronomy 21:23 and Galatians 3:13). To the Jews, Greeks, and many others, the message of the cross was utter foolishness (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-23). However, as Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, God chose the foolishness of the cross to bring salvation to humankind. The message of the cross is the supreme message of Gods love for sinful humanity (see John 3:16-17).

Vicarious suffering is suffering endured by one person in the place of another. What makes Jesus suffering and death so powerful is that He did it for us. Jesus suffered and died in our place. Jesus vicarious suffering has ultimately led to our salvation and wholeness!

B. THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST AND OTHER CROSS

Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross, died, and was raised on the third day, never to die again; death no longer has power over Him (Romans 6:9). The cross He was nailed to was not special and He was not the first person to be nailed to the cross. According to history, crucifixion was practiced in the ancient world by the Persians, Carthaginians, Romans, and others.

Alexander the Great hanged 2,000 people on crosses when the city of Tyre was destroyed. But none of the crosses has the power of the cross of Jesus Christ. Also, Alexander Jannaeus, the king and high priest of Judea from 103-76 B.C. crucified 800 Pharisees while eating with his concubines. Before their crucifixion, he ordered the throats of their children and wives to be cut before their eyes. None of these crosses has the power of the cross of Jesus.

According to Christian tradition, the Apostle Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero. But the cross of Peter lacks the power of the cross of Jesus.

The Bible refers to the cross of Jesus in John 19:25. Galatians 6:12 and 1 Corinthians 1:17 use the phrase the cross of Christ while Galatians 6:14 uses the phrase the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Also in Philippians 3:18, the Bible talks about the cross of Christ. These phrases refer to the same thing: the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Although not physically different from other crosses, no other cross possesses the power of this cross.

C. WHY CRUCIFYING JESUS INSTEAD OF STONING HIM TO DEATH AS PRACTICED IN ISRAEL

Why should Jesus be nailed to the cross? Crucifixion was not a Jewish practice. The Bible does not provide in the Old Testament that offenders or sinners be executed on the cross. Stoning to death was the means of capital punishment in Israel as was done to some Bible characters, including Achan, Naboth, and Stephen. The highest punishment for sin among the Israelites was to be stoned to death (Leviticus 20:2, 27; 24:14, 16, 23; Numbers 15:35-36; Deuteronomy 13:10; 17:5; 21:21; 22:21, 24; Joshua 7:25; 1 Kings 21:13-15).

When the Jewish religious leaders brought Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, he told them at a point to go and judge Jesus according to their law. They replied that they were not permitted to put anyone to death (John 18:31-32). This was because, before this time, the power to kill had been taken away from them. They had no legal right to administer capital punishment. Therefore, they demanded that Pilate crucify Him (John 19:5-6).

Even the stoning of Stephen to death later in the early church was illegal but the religious leaders could hide under the fact that it was a mob action. Also, unlike Jesus, Stephen was relatively unknown and didnt have followers who could seek revenge that could lead to violence, attracting Romes attention.

However, according to Jewish law, if someone had committed a sin deserving death, and was put to death and hanged on a tree, his body must not remain overnight on the tree. It must be buried that day so that the land would not be defiled because anyone who was hanged was under Gods curse (Deuteronomy 21:22-23).

Nevertheless, the Jews would not hang anyone except he had broken the law and had been pronounced guilty and stoned to death first. Jesus was not hanged on the tree after death but crucified after Pilate had handed Him over to them to be crucified (John 19:13-16). Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots (Matthew 27:35).

The Romans practised execution on the cross for criminals and slaves but exempted Roman citizens. Crucifixion was a slow and painful death that also exposed the victim to public ridicule. Jesus was subjected to this despite Pilate not finding Him guilty (John 18:38; 19:4, 6; Luke 23:13-16). Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and the other on the left (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27). One of them testified that Jesus had done nothing wrong (Luke 23:40-41).

The death of Jesus on the cross is central to the Christian faith. Paul sought to know the fellowship of His suffering  His suffering on the cross to save humanity (Philippians 3:10).

Jesus Christ died on the cross to save the world. Unlike other crucifixions, His death on the cross changed the course of history. History says that Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor to profess Christianity, later abolished crucifixion in the year 337 as a mark of respect and honour for Jesus Christ.

Part of the lyrics of the hymn, His Banner Over Me Is Love says, There is one way to peace through the power of the cross. It is important to understand what the cross of Christ wrought for the world. Isaac Watts wrote the powerful hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross in 1707. You must survey the wondrous cross, the cross of Christ. In other words, you must study, examine, scrutinize, and understand the cross of Christ to appreciate its value or power.

D. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POWER OF THE CROSS (BENEFITS OF CRUCIFIXION)

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is a benefit to mankind because:

RECONCILIATION AND SALVATION It delivers us from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).  Romans 5:10-11 says, For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. The power of reconciliation is in the cross of Christ. Ephesians 2:16 says, And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” Therefore, salvation for the sinner is possible because Jesus died on the cross and reconciled us to God. It reconciles us to God and to others (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 1:13-20).

REDEMPTION: The cross of Christ redeems us from the curse of the Law: The Bible says, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:13-14). By His death on the cross, Jesus redeemed humanity from the curse of the Law and its condemnation. By becoming a curse for us through His death on the cross, Jesus paid the price to free us from the curse Gods laws bring.

FORGIVENES AND CANCELLATION OF CHARGES: God redeems and forgives us (Colossians 1:14; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 17:11). The cross of Christ secures for us forgiveness of sin and cancellation of charges: Sin separated man from God but the cross not only got for humanity forgiveness of sin, it also broke the power of the sin nature and restored peace between man and God. Colossians 2:14 says He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. God wiped out the charges against us for disobeying the law. 

HEALING: The cross of Christ gives us divine and physical healing. The Scripture says in Isaiah 53:4-5, Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. The scripture also says Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24). 

After Jesus had healed many possessed with devils, cast out spirits with His word, and healed many sick people, Matthew says, That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses (Matthew 8:17).  Jesus had not been scourged then when He healed many. The stripes of Jesus after His trial were for the healing of all, both spiritual and physical. If you are sick, you can be healed. Divine healing is real. Many have testified to receiving their healing supernaturally. You are healed of whatever sickness is in your body in Jesus name.

TRANSFORMATION INTO A NEW CREATION: Because of the cross of Christ, we can live a new life in Christ Jesus. Through the cross, believers are transformed into new creations, moving from death to life. Paul says in Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Through the cross, the world has been crucified to us, and we are crucified to the world. Paul says in Galatians 6:14, May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 

CONQUERING SIN AND DEATH: The power of the cross conquers the power of sin and death, cancelling the charges against believers. It deals with sin and its consequences (Romans 6:23; Romans 6:11; 1 Peter 2:24). It ultimately delivers us from physical death (2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:9). 

By His resurrection, Jesus became the first fruits of those who will be raised to life again (1 Corinthians 15:20). Through Jesus, those who die in Christ shall also be resurrected from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). He has given us victory over death. Death is not the end. There is life after death. Death is a passage to eternity  eternity with God or the devil. 

RESTORATION OF RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD: It restores the relationship between humanity and God, enabling believers to live a life pleasing to Him. It breaks the power of Satan (Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15). It gives us access to God (Hebrews 10:19-20).

SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND RIGHTEOUS LIVING: The cross empowers believers to live righteously and pursue a holy life. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

THE WISDOM AND LOVE OF GOD: It demonstrates the profound wisdom of God, contrasting His ways with worldly wisdom, and reveals His unconditional love. 

THE CROSS OF CHRIST DEFEATED THE POWER OF DARKNES Colossians 2:15 says, Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Jesus has defeated the powers of darkness through His death on the cross. For our sake, Jesus has defeated the devil, the rulers and authorities or principalities and power. He shamed them by His victory over them on the cross.

E. HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF THE CROSS

BOASTING IN THE CROSS: Believers are encouraged to boast in the cross of Christ, through which the world is crucified to them and they to the world! 

PREACHING THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS: The message of the cross is considered the power of God for those who believe and is entrusted to believers to proclaim! 

RECEIVING CHRIST: The power of the cross is accessed by receiving Christ into one's heart and placing faith in His finished work! 

F. PHENOMENAL EVENTS THAT HAPPENED WHEN JESUS DIED 

 They crucified him (John 19:1). He was not the first to die on a cross. It has been estimated that by the time of Christ, the Romans had crucified 30,000 men in Palestine alone. Nor would He be the last. Jesus was, however, the only One who could and did die on a cross for the sins of a lost world, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18).

To attest to the uniqueness of the death of Jesus Christ, Matthew records five phenomenal events that took place when Jesus died. The Gospel writer does not explain their meaning; he simply records them. 

(a) THE DARKNESS

What happened: Jesus was placed on the cross at 9 a.m. (Mark 15:25), then from noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land (Matthew 27:45).

The significance: In the Old Testament, darkness is frequently a sign of judgment (see Amos 5:18; 8:9). Recall that the ninth plague of the exodus event was darkness over the land of Egypt for a period of three days; a darkness that could be felt (Exodus 10:21-22). After the plague of darkness came the death of the firstborn sons (Exodus 11:4-5). Darkness preceded death.

Likewise, on the cross darkness preceded the death of the son of God. The significance? On the cross, our sins were placed vicariously on the sinless Son and God poured out His judgment on Christ, our Substitute. Darkness as a sign of divine judgment highlights the substitutionary nature of the death of Christ. On the cross, Jesus endured the judgment of God upon our sin (cf. Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24).

(b) THE CURTAIN

What happened: The curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).

The significance: Some Bible scholars have suggested this was the curtain that separated the court of the Jews from the court of the Gentiles. This would make sense in light of Ephesians 2:14, where Paul said Christ has torn down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. Other Bible scholars, however, believe this was the curtain that separated the holy of holies from the other parts of the temple. The holy of holies was associated with the presence of God. Worshipers could never enter the holy of holies, only the high priest once a year (Leviticus 16).

The tearing of the temple curtain signifies that the way to God has been opened for all people through Christ. That the curtain was torn from top to bottom signifies this was the work of God, not of human effort (cf. Hebrews 9:12; 10:19-20).

(c) THE EARTHQUAKE

What happened: The earth quaked, and the rocks were split (Matthew 27:51).

The significance: Earthquakes were common in Palestine, though there was nothing common about this one. The timing and accompanying events suggest this was a supernatural event.

Earthquakes in the Bible often accompanied divine revelation or a unique act of God. When God appeared to Moses on Sinai to give His law, the whole mountain shook violently (Exodus 19:18). Warren Wiersbe connects the earthquake at the death of Jesus to the Sinai event, suggesting that the earthquake at Calvary signified that the demands of the law were fulfilled in Christ.

Other scholars have noted the connection between the rock-splitting earthquake at Jesus death and the splitting of the temple curtain. Stuart Weber wrote, the earthquake reflected the immensity of the earth-shaking revolution that had just taken place with the splitting of the curtain. (Holman New Testament Commentary)

(d) THE DEAD RAISED

What happened: The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised (Matt. 27:52).

The significance: The opening of the tombs would likely have occurred as a result of the earthquake. The miracle was the raising of many saints from the dead. These would have been Old Testament saints.

These resurrections demonstrate Jesus victory over death. They are a foretaste of what will come at the end of time, the final resurrection of which Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:16: the dead in Christ will rise (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Thus, they symbolize the hope all believers have because of the death and resurrection of Christ.

 (e) LIVES WERE CHANGED

Many began to realize who Jesus really was, the truth revealed, they could no longer deny it. Matthew 27:54 says, When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, Surely he was the Son of God! The realization sank deep. The Truth that had the power to change lives. To make all things new. To offer fresh starts, new beginnings, forgiveness, and purpose. Romans 10:9 says, If you confess with your mouth Jesus and Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

G. MIRACLES OF THE HOLY CROSS

(i) MIRACLES DURING THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST

DARKNESS: A supernatural darkness covered the land from noon until three in the afternoon. 

TORN VEIL: The veil in the Temple, which separated the Holy of Holies, was torn from top to bottom, signifying a new access to God through Christ's sacrifice. 

EARTHQUAKE: A massive earthquake split rocks and opened the graves of many saints who then rose and appeared to people after Jesus' resurrection. 

THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY THE CENTURION: The soldiers and onlookers, terrified by the events, exclaimed, Surely he was the Son of God! 

(II) MIRACLES ATTRIBUTED TO RELICS OF THE CROSS

THE MIRACLE OF THE HOLY CROSS OF LUBLIN: In the 17th century, a sacred relic of the cross reportedly moved from its secure location and appeared on the altar during a siege, a sign believed to have saved the town of Lublin from an invasion. 

VENETIAN MIRACLES: Art in Venice depicts various miracles linked to a relic of the True Cross, including the healing of a man at the Ponte di Rialto and a child who was healed after falling from a window. 

THE MIRACULOUS CRUCIFIX OF LIMPIAS: This 16th-century crucifix in Spain is believed to have been the work of artist Pedro de Mena and is a point of meditation on Jesus' suffering, with reports of the figure coming alive. 

H. EMPEROR CONSTANTINE AND HIS VICTORY THROUGH THE CROSS

When the Body of Jesus was removed from the Cross, to prevent His followers from finding it, the Cross was thrown in a ditch and then covered with stones and earth. In the year 312 A.D., almost 300 years later, while Roman Emperor Constantine, who had not yet converted to Christianity, was in combat with Maxentius for the throne of the Roman Empire, he prayed to the Lord God of the Christians to help him in his battle. In answer to his prayer, a sign appeared in the sky. A luminous cross was seen with the words BY THIS SIGN YOU WILL CONQUER (in Latin, IN HOC SIGNO VINCES) inscribed on it.

Constantine won a decisive battle over Maxentius. Indebted to God for his victory, Constantine commanded that the Sign of Christianity be placed on the Roman standards and on the shields of all the soldiers.

I. SAINT HELENA AND THE TRUE CROSS

St Helene was an Empress. She was the mother of Emperor Constantine. She journeyed to Jerusalem to look for the true cross. Here is the story of how St. Helen found the True Cross of Jesus and why we celebrate the Feast Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross annually on September 14.

The legend of the story of the discovery of the True Cross begins when Constantine appointed his mother Empress Helena as Augusta Imperatrix, and gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury to locate the relics of the Christian tradition. She was commissioned mainly to restore holy sites from the life of Christ and to find the True Cross. By this time, Emperor Constantine has legalized Christianity. In 326-28 AD, Empress Helena, at age 80, undertook a pilgrimage to Palestine. Upon visiting the holy places in Palestine, she was guided to the site of the Crucifixion by an aged Jew who had inherited traditional knowledge as to its location. 

A Jewish man named Jude knew the Cross was buried beneath the temple of Venus (Temple of Aphrodite). That is to say, the people built the temple of Aphrodite over the site of the tomb of Jesus. Saint Helen then ordered the temple to be destroyed and the site excavated. They discovered Golgotha and the Sepulchre of the Lord. On May 3, 326 A.D., within the temple rubble and beneath the mound of basil, Saint Helen found three crosses, four nails, and a wooden plaque with the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin inscription: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.  Saint Helen discovered the True Cross of Christ underneath a sweet-smelling herb we now call “basil” on May 3, 326. Basil is derived from the Greek word (βασιλεύς) “basileus,” a title used for emperors, monarchs, and kings. Basil is considered “The King of Herbs” as Christ is “The King of Kings. She founded many churches with the help from the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Saint Macarius. 

To identify the True Cross of Christ, Saint Macarius prayed to God and told a dying woman to kiss each of the three crosses. Upon kissing the third cross, she was immediately healed. Coincidentally, a funeral procession was passing by, and the body of the dead man was placed on each of the crosses. When placed on the True Cross, he came back to life. Thus, the bitterness of death was overcome by the sweetness of the Life-Giving Cross.

To commemorate the finding of the Holy Cross, Constantine dedicated two Churches upon Calvary, Anastasis and Golgotha,” both within the precincts of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Constantine also built numerous churches and sanctuaries on biblical sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Beginning in those days, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was commemorated annually on May 3.

In 614 AD, Khosrows II, the King of Persia, invaded Syria and Palestine, at which time he carried away many of the great treasures of Jerusalem, including the relic of the True Cross. In 629 AD, Emperor Heraclius of Constantinople marched into Persia and recaptured the True Cross, seeing to it that Heraclius piously bring it back to Jerusalem while being clothed in sackcloth of penance and barefoot. On September 14, the Sacred Cross was restored to its place in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

To commemorate this victory, in the 7th century A.D., the Church of Rome adopted the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14.

O DIVINE WORD WHO TOOK FLESH FOR HUMAN SAKE, REDEEM US IN OUR SITUATION 

© Rev Fr Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa

September 12 2025

Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary