Lesson 25 Washing at the Cross: Drawn out of Sin
Question 3
Jesus said He would draw all people to Himself when He was “lifted up,” and “He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die” (John 12:33 NIV).
Jesus knew in advance that He would be “lifted up” on a cross to die. He knew He would fulfill Isaiah 52:13-14, “See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness.”
A cross is one of the most gruesome and repulsive means of execution ever invented. It was a horrifying, dreadful, agonizing, shameful and pitiful way to die. Had you been passing by the cross that day and looked up you would be aghast! You might have said, “what is that? Is that a monster? Is it a man? What is it?” Death by crucifixion is not something that would draw anyone!
Yet to think Jesus said that the cross would be a drawing influence. How can this be, when a cross is by nature repulsive?
Just look at the cross for a moment:
There Jesus took your curse of sin and gave you the blessing of His obedience. Galatians 3:13.
There He took on Himself all your wickedness that you might take on all His righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21.
There He was bound and nailed to a tree that you might be forgiven and set free. Galatians 5:1.
There He wore a crown of thorns, the crown of suffering, that you might wear the crown of life. 2 Timothy 4:8.
There He shed His blood to wash away your sins, and there He breathed His last that you might live forever. John 3:16.
“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them” (Romans 4:7-8 NIV).