Post 77 - The Cross: Putting it All Together

"The Day the Earth Stood Still"

When I was a young boy--maybe 8 or 9 years old--I remember watching a movie on TV that made a lasting impression. It was the classic sci-fi movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still", released in 1951 starring Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal in which a flying saucer with an alien being lands on the earth, invoking fear and a strong, hostile response from the nations of the world.

In one of the many classic lines from the movie, a taxi driver, upon passing the field where the flying saucer had landed and upon noticing the commotion, says to his passenger, "Hey, looks like somethin' big's goin' on."

            Something big, indeed! Out of the spaceship comes a being from another realm who takes the form of a man, but with powers and knowledge unfamiliar to humans. This “man”, who takes the name of John Carpenter, comes to earth to bring a message of “peace and good will” to all of mankind, however his actions are misunderstood by most of earth’s inhabitants. The only one who seems to understand is a young boy.

John Carpenter is killed by the authorities, brought back to life by supernatural powers, and, at the end of the movie, he ascends into the night sky.

            Of course, as a youth, I didn’t realize the parallels in the movie to the biblical story of Jesus Christ. Yet there was something wonderful about the story that resonated with me.

At the end of the movie, as the flying saucer disappears into the night, there was an uncomfortable feeling of loss--the sense of a missed opportunity. A special moment had passed leaving a feeling of regret and longing.

The Cross--Four Perspectives

In the past posts we've been looking at the cross from four different perspectives. The goal was to get a more complete understanding of an event that is really beyond comprehension--the most impactful day in the history of the universe--a day the earth (and the heavens) stood still.

I began the series with an introduction--a look at what the Bible tells us about that eventful day and an acknowledgment that Christians generally have a very incomplete and simplistic understanding of the true impact of the cross. While I admit that we will likely never comprehend the full magnitude of God's redemptive work this side of heaven, it seems that, as Christians, we should at least strive to understand what God has revealed to us in His word.

Here is a link to the introductory post: https://www.bibleinsights.net/post/post-72-the-cross-an-introduction

Below is a brief summary of the four perspectives from the previous posts and a link to each one:

1. Temporal Perspective

From a temporal perspective, the cross looks like unbearable shame and suffering, but the violence of the cross also prefigures a transition of power critical to God's ultimate plan of redemption where Jesus takes his rightful place on the throne in heaven.

Here's a link to the past post: https://www.bibleinsights.net/post/post-73-the-cross-part-i-a-temporal-perspective

2. Humanistic Perspective

From a humanistic perspective, the cross is a very unlikely symbol of God's provision of hope and an opportunity for new life for all through repentance and faith in Jesus.

From a humanistic perspective, the cross reveals an unfathomable and powerful love that is still reconciling sinners to a holy God. 

Here's a link to the past post: https://www.bibleinsights.net/post/post-74-the-cross-part-ii-a-humanistic-perspective

3. Cosmological Perspective

From a cosmological perspective, the cross was the symbolic passing away of heaven and earth, rendering obsolete the Mosaic Law and the old covenant.

Although the cross seems like an end, it actually heralds a new beginning. With our understanding that Jesus is our ultimate temple--the place where heaven and earth meet--we see a foreshadowing of the harmony, balance, and order God has planned for those who abide in his Son.

Here's a link to the past post: https://www.bibleinsights.net/post/post-75-the-cross-part-iii-a-cosmological-perspective

4. Celestial Perspective

From a celestial perspective, the cross secured a true spiritual victory. Satan was expelled from heaven and the way was paved for Christ to begin to reign supreme.

This should be a powerful reminder of the faithfulness of God who, although we might not always see it, is busy working behind the scenes to ensure that all things work together for the good for those who love Him.

Here's a link to the past post: https://www.bibleinsights.net/post/post-76-the-cross-part-iv-a-celestial-perspective

Final Thought

As I mentioned "The Day the Earth Stood Still" left me with a feeling of a missed opportunity, which reminded me of this important and dire warning from Charles Spurgeon:

“If you do not hear the well-beloved Son of God, you have refused your last hope.  He is God’s ultimatum.  Nothing remains when Christ is refused.  No one else can be sent; heaven itself contains no further messenger.  If Christ be rejected, hope is rejected.”

Fortunately, the redemption provided by Jesus on the cross is still available to all.

God is patient with you, not wanting that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2Cor 6:2)

Next Post: TBD