Where does one begin to tell the story of the gospel – God’s salvation plan for man?

From the beginning of creation, where God first made man? From the garden of Eden, the perfect home where the first transgression occurred? From the story of the Israelite patriarchs, to whom God revealed himself? From the law of Moses, that stipulated God’s expectation for the nation of Israel? Or from the birth of Jesus, the fully human and fully divine Savior that descended from David, and brought an end to the sin of humanity?

There is no correct place to begin this wonderful story that stretches from eternity past to eternity forever. It was a plan God conceived in himself and executed with the utmost precision. What we cannot deny, however, is the centrality of the cross where Jesus was crucified to the story of the gospel. When Jesus Christ took that shameful journey to be crucified on a Roman cross in Jerusalem, he paid the price for sin on behalf of all humanity so that we could be forgiven of all our sins and be saved through God’s grace.

The cross represents the ultimate sacrifice by the perfect man for a sinful world before a righteous God to concurrently satisfy the demands of divine justice and divine love. It is God showing his love by granting forgiveness to all humanity, yet showing his justice by ensuring the price for sin has been paid. In identifying with the cross, we also embrace that self-sacrificing lifestyle like Jesus, where we choose to do God’s will above our own desires. The cross speaks to the full journey of the one who believes in Jesus, not only to its beginning. It is a reminder of how we should live – in humility and submission to God.

While the story of creation affirms God’s matchless position as the Creator of all things and the story from the garden reveal man’s fall into sin through willful disobedience, it is the cross that affirms the possibility of redemption. A person cannot be saved unless they believes their sin has been paid for – and that happened on the cross. A person cannot please God except they choose to live like Jesus did – surrendering to God with faith and doing His will above theirs. Being a believer means choosing to obey God above our personal desires, every time.

The cross assures us of salvation and instructs us about submission to God’s will. It is the gate through which we transition from an old life of sin into a new life of righteousness. We know that Jesus did not only die on the cross, he also rose from the grave three days later. Therefore, when we believe Jesus died for our sins, we have also died with him, abandoning that old life and embracing a new life enabled by the now-living Jesus. The cross is central, not only to our acceptance of the gospel, but also to practicing that faith in every aspect of our lives.

As you go into this new week, I encourage you to reflect on what the cross of Jesus means to you. Whether, in your relationships (at home or at work), in your pursuits (personal or professional), or in your decisions, how can you choose more to be like Jesus? Can you put others’ needs before yours? Can you prioritize God’s instructions above your desires? Will you obey Him no matter the cost? We see Jesus set aside His glory and humble Himself to do what God wanted. What will you do? I will close this reflective piece with below words from Paul the Apostle. Have yourself a great week!

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 (Galatians 6:14, NIV)