Several years ago, a satellite church was established and started some House Groups, and I was subsequently invited to lead a Bible Study at one of them. The subject I was given was, “Why was the cross so necessary?” This Easter period reminded me of the event and how I considered my approach to the question. I realised the emphasis could be placed on several of the words in that question, but I opted for the word cross.
My notes for that meeting are no longer available, and so I recently gave some thought to the question again. Exodus chapter 12 is a beautiful picture of Jesus and the Lamb of God, and for the first time, I considered that the blood that was painted around the door frame all those years ago is possibly a picture of the Saviour’s blood that fell onto his cross.
Readers, familiar with the Bible, will also know that the serpent that was hoisted on a pole for the Israelites, also in Jesus words, was an indication of the cross He was to be nailed to.
If you have the opportunity to reflect on that question, I trust you will contemplate other reasons. Meanwhile, Isaac Watts’ familiar (to many) hymn “When I survey the wondrous cross” may help to stimulate some thoughts.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the green hill far away, outside a city wall, where our dear Lord was crucified and died to save us all. AMEN