What Held Jesus to the Cross

Our sin was the purpose of Jesus' death on the Cross.  We must know this, for it is elemental in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Yet, it is not our sin that 'held' Jesus to the Cross.   It was something much greater.  To repeat the line from a modern worship song, "it was my sin that held Him (Jesus) there" (on the Cross) - which has become a popular saying in today's modern church - is not truth, so detracting from the more blessed and profound Truth.  Jesus laid down his life (voluntarily), and took His life back up again.  It was His Character that held Jesus on the Cross - His love and obedience.  Let us recall Jesus prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane:

Matthew 26:36-39 NKJV

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." [37] And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. [38] Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." [39] He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

And -

Matthew 26:42 NKJV

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."

And finally -

Matthew 26:44 NKJV

So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Now Jesus asks us to take up our Cross, and follow (emulate) Him.  What holds us to this (voluntary) taking up of the Cross is the same as what held Jesus to His death on the Cross - love and obedience - and this we can only do by abiding in Christ Jesus.  Apart from abiding in Him I can do nothing.  And, God gives us His Holy Spirit to indwell us so we may receive power to live a Godly life.

In Ezekiel we read:

Ezekiel 36:22-32 NKJV

"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. [23] And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. [24] For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. [25] Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. [26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. [28] Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. [29] I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. [30] And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. [31] Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. [32] Not for your sake do I do this," says the Lord GOD, "let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!"

So, here we see that God brings redemption to Israel - making them a New Creation - for the sake of His Holy Name.  However, He lets them see, remember, and abhor the sins of their past (one who has been forgiven much loves much!)  

In the presence and Light of a Holy God we can only be ashamed and confounded for our own ways.   We can only be in awe of His great goodness, kindnesses, patience, and love!   God makes it clear that our salvation, in Christ Jesus, is done for His sake.   "For God so loved the world..."  Our salvation in Christ Jesus is for His Name's sake - and how we, in Christ Jesus, benefit so greatly from our Holy Heavenly Father!  

Our Holy God is perfect in love and mercy.  His laws are perfect, and they are fulfilled in Christ Jesus.  God meets the terms of Who He is - His perfect Divine Nature - in Christ Jesus.  How mankind benefits from the Beauty of God's Holiness!  Praise be to God!  I am SO thankful for His compassions which fail not!  I am just so grateful for WHO HE IS - "I AM".  Because of Who He is - because Jesus lives - I have life, free from the bondage and consequence of sin - Praise be to Jesus!  It is from God's intention and heart that He sent Jesus - from His profound love.  In Jesus, evil and darkness have been defeated.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord!  I am so very grateful that Jesus chose to be held to the Cross, and take up His life again from death, to redeem my Soul.  I am so grateful for Jesus' love and obedience!  I am so grateful for God's Holiness, and perfect love for mankind - not willing that any should perish. Amen.