Separation

Matthew 27:32-66

We have studied ‘why’ Jesus died, now we see ‘how’ He died.

Of course we understand He is dying the death each of us deserve to die. He is dying in my place, to pay the price for my sin. Never has it been more clearly demonstrated that “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

Jesus’ death on the cross is not a free ticket to continue in sin knowing we are forgiven, but is a tragic reminder of the horrific, abominable nature of sin, and what comes of it.

Until you see yourself on the cross, you do not understand the price that was paid to set you free. How can you then live any longer in sin? How can sin appeal in light of the cross, and the cost?

We live such sheltered lives in our modern culture. We are so far removed from death it shocks us to the core when we are confronted by the necessity of it. How little we think of the slaughter-house that provides us meat? We have nothing culturally to relate to when it pertains to warfare or any of the sort of brutality that is caused by sin. Jesus reminds us who we really are.

And Who He really is.

You see, there was something that took place at the cross which goes far beyond even the physical brutality which we are making ourselves aware of. It may be the physical brutality which has the greatest affect upon us emotionally, and certainly it should affect us greatly, but it is the separation from the Father which we need to pay the closest attention to. In taking my sin, and the sin of the whole world upon Himself, Jesus made Himself a curse, and He became separated from the Father in that moment. It was plainly terrible for Christ, and His terror serves as a warning.

For those who choose to remain in their sin instead of enjoying and employing Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice for it, there will be an eternal separation from God. Of that, we must all be terrified. Oh how wonderful is the salvation of Christ which removes the middle wall of separation!

-Pastor Bill